Fisherman’s body found three days after crocodile attack

The lifeless body of a 51-year-old fisherman, Mr Sipho Tibani from Mpheni Vhutuwa Nga Dzebu was found floating in the Nesengani Dam near Albasini on Tuesday afternoon. Tibani was attacked by crocodiles on Sunday, 7 January, in the afternoon while he and two friends were fishing.

According to one of the friends who were present during the attack, Tibani was leading at the front and checking for a suitable place to spread their fish nets inside the dam. He mentioned that they believed a crocodile had grabbed Tibani's legs and pulled him underwater. "We tried to call his name, but he didn't respond. We attempted to retrace our steps, but we did not see how he disappeared and where to," said the eyewitness.

Tibani was a seasonal fisherman who survived by doing odd jobs in the construction sector. A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that they were informed about the incident by Tibani's co-fishermen. "We reported the case to the headman's assistant, who, along with other residents and community leaders, accompanied us to the Waterval Police Station. The police called the Search and Rescue Diving Unit members to the dam to search for Tibani’s body. We searched for two days straight, and the only thing we found was his cap," said the family member.

Despite several searches by the police divers on Sunday, Tibani’s body was only found three days later, floating on the water.

Date:12 January 2024

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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