Two children used a fishing rod to try to fend off a crocodile that was dragging Thandazile Madela – the mother of one of them and grandmother of the other – into St Lucia Estuary on Tuesday morning.
But they didn’t succeed and her body was recovered after an hour’s search.
Madela, of KwaMsane in Mtubatuba, was trying to retrieve her fish when a crocodile grabbed her arm and dragged her into the water. Her son, Sphelele, 12, and grandson Ayanda, 11, screamed and called for help.
Thembinkosi Mdladla heard the children’s and Madela’s screams and ran to them. He saw Ayanda trying to fight off the crocodile with a fishing rod.
“The crocodile moved beneath the water with the woman while I held the children back,” he said.
Mdladla said he had to stop the children from jumping in the water when the crocodile re-emerged with the woman.
“They were doing what any person would have done, but they were in danger,” he said.
Mdladla called for help while the crocodile “vanished” with Madela.
Isimangaliso Wetland Park officials arrived with boats and a search commenced.
CEO Andrew Zaloumis said the crocodile repeatedly disappeared from view as the boat approached.
“The crocodile was hiding in reed beds. The staff continued to pursue the crocodile until it eventually released the body and disappeared over an hour later.”
At her home on Tuesday, Madela’s widower, Lucky, 58, was in tears as he described the tragedy as a “huge loss” for his family.
“I did not think anything could happen because she has been fishing for over 20 years,” he said.
Lucky said he had been at home when he received a call from the police, asking him to go to the lake.
“I thought she had forgotten to carry her fishing licence because the police did not tell me what had happened.”
He said his wife had acted as the “man” of the house after he had broken his ankle several years ago.
“Since that accident, doctors said I could not work and my wife did all the chores in the house.”
Madela also oversaw the family’s business of renting out apartments.
Ayanda said: “I tried to help my grandmother, but the animal grabbed her.”
He then broke down, sobbing, and could not speak further.
Zaloumis said holidaymakers and locals should remember that St Lucia Estuary formed part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and had one of the highest concentrations of crocodiles in southern Africa.
He said people should stay at least 3m away from the water and that overnight fishing was not advisable because crocodiles had excellent night vision.
“The many warning signs in the vicinity of the mouth and estuary banks need to be heeded.” - The Mercury