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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A suspected fish poacher from Chief Bota’s area in Zaka died after he was attacked by a crocodile while catching fish with his brother at Bangala Dam under Chief Nyajena, Chief Bota has confirmed.

The suspected fish poacher was attacked by the crocodile on Tuesday at around 5AM. He has been identified as Advance Magadzire, 24, of Nedowa Village.

Magadzire’s body, which had some limbs missing, was successfully retrieved and a postmortem was waived by Masvingo provincial magistrate Langton Ndokera.

“I can confirm receiving the report to that effect but I am yet to be furnished with the finer details of what exactly transpired,” said Chief Bota in a telephone interview.

On Monday at around 12 midnight, Magadzire and his brother Cephas left home headed for Bangala Dam for fishing.

“Upon arrival at around 3AM, the pair got into their home-made canoes and started to lay nets. While busy laying nets, a crocodile emerged from the water and attacked Advance,” said Sibonginkosi Muzwezwe, a Zimbabwe Water Authority (Zinwa) employee who works at the dam.

“The crocodile pulled Advance under the water and he was submerged. Realising that his brother had been attacked by a crocodile, Cephas attempted to rescue Advance but failed as he was already submerged in water.”

He then rushed home and informed relatives who teamed up with other villagers and managed to retrieve the body from the dam.

“When we reported for duty, I found a group of people still at the dam but they had successfully retrieved Advance’s body,” said Muzwezwe.

He said the man’s right leg and arm were missing from the body.

They reported the matter to the police.