Deadly croc attack spotlights village water crisis
‘We need safe water’ community pleads after fatal attack
A fatal crocodile attack on an elderly woman at Thipanana village in the Kavango East Region last week has once again highlighted the dangers residents face due to the lack of safe water sources.
David Muronga, chairperson of the village development committee (VDC), told Namibian Sun that the woman went to the river on Tuesday to fetch water and bathe.
When she failed to return, her daughter went to look for her and discovered her clothes hanging on a tree and a face cloth drifting in the river near a pool of blood.
Her body has not yet been recovered, and police, along with officials from the environment ministry, continue to search the area.
Muronga said the river remains the community’s only water source. “There are no boreholes, so people are forced to go to the river to fetch water and wash clothes," he said. He underlined that the community has "repeatedly requested the authorities to provide safe water, but nothing has been done."
He added that crocodiles in the area have already killed 20 goats this year, a problem dating back decades.
Tragedies and costly losses
Mukwe constituency councillor Damian Maghambayi said the situation has become dire, and urgent intervention is needed.
He appealed to the government and potential “good Samaritans” to assist by completing the borehole projects and connecting tanks and pipelines to ensure safe water access. “The drilling has been done, but the installation of the tanks and water points is still pending. If we can get serious support from the authorities or even from a good Samaritan, these tragedies can be prevented,” he said.
Maghambayi further urged the environment ministry and other relevant authorities to increase awareness campaigns and engage directly with residents about the dangers of using the river, particularly in areas known to be inhabited by crocodiles.
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David Muronga, chairperson of the village development committee (VDC), told Namibian Sun that the woman went to the river on Tuesday to fetch water and bathe.
When she failed to return, her daughter went to look for her and discovered her clothes hanging on a tree and a face cloth drifting in the river near a pool of blood.
Her body has not yet been recovered, and police, along with officials from the environment ministry, continue to search the area.
Muronga said the river remains the community’s only water source. “There are no boreholes, so people are forced to go to the river to fetch water and wash clothes," he said. He underlined that the community has "repeatedly requested the authorities to provide safe water, but nothing has been done."
He added that crocodiles in the area have already killed 20 goats this year, a problem dating back decades.
Tragedies and costly losses
Mukwe constituency councillor Damian Maghambayi said the situation has become dire, and urgent intervention is needed.
He appealed to the government and potential “good Samaritans” to assist by completing the borehole projects and connecting tanks and pipelines to ensure safe water access. “The drilling has been done, but the installation of the tanks and water points is still pending. If we can get serious support from the authorities or even from a good Samaritan, these tragedies can be prevented,” he said.
Maghambayi further urged the environment ministry and other relevant authorities to increase awareness campaigns and engage directly with residents about the dangers of using the river, particularly in areas known to be inhabited by crocodiles.
[email protected]
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