Horror in Lake Victoria as killer crocodiles now target humans

From The Guardian/IPP Media, Dar es Salaam
By Lucas Lukumbo

The calm and tranquil waters of Lake Victoria belie a horrifying situation that people living near its banks are facing, in the form of ferocious killer crocodiles lurking in the shallows.

According to reports, hardly a month passes without these predators pouncing on and snatching human beings who venture to the edge of Africa’s largest lake - also the world’s largest tropical lake - to fetch water, wash domestic appliances, go fishing, or make other use of the available waters.

The latest recorded attack was on January 16 this year when eight-year old Avelina Vitus, a Standard Two pupil, was fatally ambushed by a crocodile while in the company of her sisters Mispina (16), Adventina (10) and Sophia (6) in Chelameno village, Nyamboge ward, Geita Region.

Narrating the ordeal, eldest sister Mispina said they were washing their school uniforms in the lake in readiness for class the next day when the crocodile pounced.

“We heard a big splash of water behind us. When I turned back, I saw a huge croc dragging my younger sister away as she struggled in vain to disentangle herself from its clutch,” a tearful Mispina recalled.

The sisters backed away and yelled for help. Other local residents soon assembled at the scene, and a search for the crocodile and its victim was immediately launched, coordinated by the village chairman Majura Ruhwirabache. 

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Albino killers ‘punished heavily’

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

DEPUTY Minister for Home Affairs, Hamad Masauni told the august House here yesterday that a total of 133 suspects have been apprehended out of whom 19 were condemned to death after they were convicted of killing people with albinism.

“Between 2006 and late last year, 43 people with albinism were murdered. Leading Regions with gruesome killings include; Mwanza, Shinyanga and Kigoma,” Mr Masauni explained while responding to supplementary question by Special Seats MP, Ms Mgeni Jadi Kadika (CUF).

He said in efforts to curb the killings, the government has put in place several centres to protect people with albinism which have assisted to reduce the incidents.

“Through the police force, the government has conducted manhunt for perpetrators of the crime and brought them to justice,” the Deputy Minister said.

Mr Masauni explained further that the police force has been conducting regular patrols against witchdoctors fond of misleading their customers that they can attain wealth or luck by acquiring body parts of people with albinism.

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