DURBAN: The bodies of three fishermen, who went missing after they were attacked by a hippo, on the Pongolapoort dam, in Jozini last week, have been retrieved.
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the incident occurred last Wednesday, at about 4pm, in the small town situated in northern KwaZulu Natal.
Gwala said the three fishermen were placing their gill nets into the water, using a home-made, raft when they were attacked.
Police officers from Empangeni Search and Rescue, with Operational Response Service Richards Bay, received a report of fishermen that were attacked by a hippo, in the Pongolapoort dam, the next day, on May 20, she said.
Gwala said the members conducted vessel patrols but were unable to locate the victims.
She said the searches continued and the bodies were recovered on Saturday.
“On Saturday, May 22, 2021, all three victims were located,” she said.
Police said inquest dockets were opened for investigation by Ingwavuma SAPS.
#sapsKZN Empangeni #SearchAndRescue with ORS Richards Bay conducted vessel patrols in the Pongolapoort dam, Jozini on Thursday after a report of fishermen that were attacked by a hippo. On Saturday, the three victims were located. Inquest docket opened. ML pic.twitter.com/VZ7vWXMieH
— SA Police Service 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 23, 2021
Meanwhile, the body of a five-year-old boy was recovered in Mkhuze, northern KZN on Saturday.
Police said members from Empangeni Search and Rescue, together with Vryheid K9 Search and Rescue, attended to a report of a suspected drowning at a dam.
“K9 ‘Achil’ was used to search a dam, where the body of a five-year-old boy was recovered,” said police.
An inquest docket has been opened.
#sapsKZN Members from Empangeni #SearchAndRescue with #K9SAR Vryheid, attended to a complaint of a suspected drowning in Mkhuze SAPS area yesterday. K9 ‘Achil’ was used to search a dam where the body of a 5-year-old boy was recovered. Inquest docket opened. ML pic.twitter.com/esLPeJMTzb
— SA Police Service 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 23, 2021
THE MERCURY