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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Lukosi in Hwange is lucky to be alive after he was attacked by a crocodile while on a fishing expedition with friends.

The incident occurred on Monday at Kalope Dam which supplies Lukosi Irrigation Scheme.

Proud Ngwenya from Mpongolo Village is admitted to St Patricks Hospital in Hwange and has not been treated as his family is struggling to raise money to buy medicines prescribed by the hospital.

Proud has his 13-year-old friend to thank after the boy whose name was not given, reportedly pelted the reptile with stones until it let go of him.

The friend also cheated death after the crocodile charged at him and bit him on the back of the foot but he managed to jump to safety.

Proud’s father Mr Chasemore Ngwenya said his son was badly injured.

“He went for fishing with friends and while inside the water, he stepped on the crocodile which then attacked him. It almost devoured the whole leg up to the groin and he is lucky that his friend bravely picked stones and attacked the crocodile which turned on him and almost injured him as well,” said Mr Ngwenya.

 “We didn’t report to the police. We are still running around trying to raise money for his medication. We have just bought bandages and haven’t raised money for the injections which means that up to now he hasn’t been treated.” 

Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Sergeant Namatirai Mashona said no report was made.

Mpongola villagers have appealed to authorities to remove some crocodiles from the dam saying they are now too many.—@ncubeleon