Man feared dead after crocodile attack

POLICE are searching for a Kwekwe man who has been missing for more than a week after he was attacked by a crocodile while crossing Mbembeswani River in Mbizo, Kwekwe.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, which occurred on January 26 at around 6pm.

The missing man, Tichaona Muguti, was an employee at Kingten Mine and was in the company of a colleague, Trust Ngwenya (24) of Makaure Business Centre, when tragedy struck.

"Tichaona Muguti was attacked by a crocodile in the Mbembeswani River, Mbizo in Kwekwe on January 26 at about 6pm," said Insp Mahoko.

He said the two men were midway across the river when the reptile emerged.

"As they were crossing, a crocodile surfaced and attacked Tichaona Muguti, who was in front, before dragging him into the water," Insp Mahoko said.

Other people who were nearby were alerted to the incident but were unable to assist.

Muguti has not been seen since, and authorities fear he may have been killed by crocodiles.

Search and rescue operations were launched by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Sub-Aqua Unit and the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, but no positive results have been recorded so far.

Police say investigations and searches are continuing.