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Lingani Nyika, Chronicle Reporter
A GIFTED athlete from Gwayi Range Farm in Matabeleland North was the talk of the province when he bravely fought off a crocodile that had dragged him into Gwayi River in 2016.

His heroic exploit became the stuff of legends and for a brief period, he basked in the afterglow of the feat as villagers would point him out in crowds.

He was only 15 years old when he fought and survived the crocodile attack.

At the time, he never imagined himself losing a leg especially after successfully fighting the reptile to free himself.

Now aged 21, Mr Mpumelelo Tshuma had his left leg amputated below the knee at Mpilo Central Hospital in 2017 following a botched operation which left his family blaming health authorities.

He was doing Form Two at Nechilibi High School when he fought off the crocodile after it attacked him while he was swimming with friends.

Gwayi River is heavily infested with crocodiles and many people who have been attacked while bathing, swimming or crossing the river have not lived to tell the story.

Even livestock has not been spared.

Mr Tshuma’s leg was unfortunately amputated due to complications and he says since then life has never been the same.

He said he resumed school in 2018 and wrote Ordinary Level examinations in 2019 but could not make it owing to time lost.

Mr Tshuma whose promising athletics career was abruptly ended by the amputation, is now looking for assistance to replace his artificial leg so that he can venture into Paralympics.

He said the artificial leg which is supposed to be replaced after every two years, was now giving him problems.

His leg is developing blisters as it reacts to the artificial leg.

To eke a living while nurturing his dream to return to active sport, Mr Tshuma said he was assisting repairing cars at a local garage.

He said he was also into singing and acting.

“I am having problems with the artificial leg and at Mpilo they told me that it is no longer usable. It’s giving me a hard time as I develop blisters making it difficult for me to walk. I need about US$300 for a new artificial leg hence I’m appealing for assistance,” he said.

Mr Tshuma said a donor provided the money to buy the artificial leg he is using now.

He wants to venture into sports again to prove that disability does not mean inability.

“If I get a leg I want to join Paralympics sports,” he said.

Mr Tshuma can be contacted on 0784343950 for any assistance. — @NyikaLingani