Mother of crocodile victim shuns river
The mother of the nine-year-old boy who was killed by a crocodile five months ago at Rundjarara village says she will never go near the Kavango River again as the river always reminds her of the cruel way in which she lost her firstborn child. The remains of her son were never found.
A tearful Alphonsine Mudumbi, whose son Richard Mwandu Mudumbi was attacked and killed by a crocodile in April, said that since the search for her son's body was called off, she has never – nor will she ever – gone back to the river.
"After the police and the environment and tourism officials stopped searching for my son, I decided that I would not go to the river anymore as the sight of the river only brings tears to my eyes."
She said even seeing other children in the community is difficult.
"I miss my son so much. When I see children in and around the house, I sometimes wish he would just appear, and we could move on with our lives. Unfortunately, that cannot happen now as it has been five months and there is no sign of my son, or his body," Mudumbi said tearfully.
Vanished
Richard was last seen on 2 April, two days before his 10th birthday at around 12:00.
According to the family, Richard and another boy from the community were herding goats – a part of their daily chores – when they drove the goats to the riverside to drink water. The two decided to quench their thirst.
The crocodile, which had suddenly emerged from nearby reeds, attacked, and while the other boy managed to flee, the deceased was tragically pulled into the river’s depths.
His companion called for help, but it was too late. There have been no signs of the crocodile or the grade two learners body since, despite several searches.
Compensation
Namibian Sun in April reported that families who have lost loved ones due to crocodile attacks can claim N$100 000 in compensation from the state, provided they produce a police declaration.
The claim can be processed even if the deceased’s body has not 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.
Mudumbi said that she went to the Ndiyona police station in July to make a police declaration.
The police were then expected to submit the statement to the home affairs ministry in order for a death certificate to be issued, which would then be submitted to the environment ministry for payment.
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A tearful Alphonsine Mudumbi, whose son Richard Mwandu Mudumbi was attacked and killed by a crocodile in April, said that since the search for her son's body was called off, she has never – nor will she ever – gone back to the river.
"After the police and the environment and tourism officials stopped searching for my son, I decided that I would not go to the river anymore as the sight of the river only brings tears to my eyes."
She said even seeing other children in the community is difficult.
"I miss my son so much. When I see children in and around the house, I sometimes wish he would just appear, and we could move on with our lives. Unfortunately, that cannot happen now as it has been five months and there is no sign of my son, or his body," Mudumbi said tearfully.
Vanished
Richard was last seen on 2 April, two days before his 10th birthday at around 12:00.
According to the family, Richard and another boy from the community were herding goats – a part of their daily chores – when they drove the goats to the riverside to drink water. The two decided to quench their thirst.
The crocodile, which had suddenly emerged from nearby reeds, attacked, and while the other boy managed to flee, the deceased was tragically pulled into the river’s depths.
His companion called for help, but it was too late. There have been no signs of the crocodile or the grade two learners body since, despite several searches.
Compensation
Namibian Sun in April reported that families who have lost loved ones due to crocodile attacks can claim N$100 000 in compensation from the state, provided they produce a police declaration.
The claim can be processed even if the deceased’s body has not 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.
Mudumbi said that she went to the Ndiyona police station in July to make a police declaration.
The police were then expected to submit the statement to the home affairs ministry in order for a death certificate to be issued, which would then be submitted to the environment ministry for payment.
[email protected]
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