Families can claim N$100K for croc attacks
Families who have lost loved ones due to crocodile attacks can claim the N$100 000 compensation from the state, provided they produce a police declaration. This despite the deceased’s bodies not having been recovered.
In the absence of a body, it is not possible for the police to open an inquest and for a family to acquire a death certificate; however, the state does allow families to claim for compensation if they make a statement under oath.
This was confirmed by environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.
He, however, indicated that the ministry will only grant the compensation if investigations into what happened do not point to negligence, which will result in no such payment.
Swimming and bathing in the river are regarded negligent acts, which will see the ministry declining to compensate families who lost a loved one to a crocodile attack in such instances.
“What the family needs to provide if someone is attacked and killed by a crocodile, and the body is not recovered, is a police declaration; however, an investigation still needs to be done to establish that there was no negligence,” he said.
This enquiry follows questions raised by members of the public on whether families can be compensated by the state if the deceased’s body has not been recovered.
Just this month, two minors have been attacked by crocodiles, and their bodies have not yet been found.
Tragic
Richard Mwandu Mudumbi (9) was attacked by a crocodile on 2 April at Rundjarara village in the Kavango East Region. He was herding goats which he drove to the Kavango River to drink water before he was attacked by a crocodile which was hiding in the reeds.
Meanwhile, Meshing Anselm Manga (13) was attacked and killed by a crocodile at Mupapama village in Kavango East last Thursday when he and friends went to the river to take a bath.
Muyunda said the ministry expresses its condolences towards the families who lost loved ones due to crocodile attacks.
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In the absence of a body, it is not possible for the police to open an inquest and for a family to acquire a death certificate; however, the state does allow families to claim for compensation if they make a statement under oath.
This was confirmed by environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.
He, however, indicated that the ministry will only grant the compensation if investigations into what happened do not point to negligence, which will result in no such payment.
Swimming and bathing in the river are regarded negligent acts, which will see the ministry declining to compensate families who lost a loved one to a crocodile attack in such instances.
“What the family needs to provide if someone is attacked and killed by a crocodile, and the body is not recovered, is a police declaration; however, an investigation still needs to be done to establish that there was no negligence,” he said.
This enquiry follows questions raised by members of the public on whether families can be compensated by the state if the deceased’s body has not been recovered.
Just this month, two minors have been attacked by crocodiles, and their bodies have not yet been found.
Tragic
Richard Mwandu Mudumbi (9) was attacked by a crocodile on 2 April at Rundjarara village in the Kavango East Region. He was herding goats which he drove to the Kavango River to drink water before he was attacked by a crocodile which was hiding in the reeds.
Meanwhile, Meshing Anselm Manga (13) was attacked and killed by a crocodile at Mupapama village in Kavango East last Thursday when he and friends went to the river to take a bath.
Muyunda said the ministry expresses its condolences towards the families who lost loved ones due to crocodile attacks.
[email protected]
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