Metro

Baby confirmed dead, 20 missing as hippopotamus capsizes canoe in Malawi

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

A one-year-old baby boy has been confirmed killed while at least 20 people are still missing or suspected dead after a hippopotamus hit and capsized their canoe on the Shire River in southern Malawi, the state television reported on Tuesday.

The report said the victims were part of 37 Malawian passengers who were going to work in their gardens on the other side of the river when the incident occurred.

“The body of a one-year-old boy was washed ashore while more than 20 people are missing and 13 others swam to safety,” the broadcaster said.

The police spokesman in Malawi’s Nsanje district, Sub-Inspector Agnes Zalakoma said the mishap happened about 7 a.m. Monday when 37 people were crossing the river on a large canoe to work in their gardens.

“A one-year-old boy is dead and more than 20 people are missing in southern Malawi after a canoe carrying 37 people flipped when it was hit by a charging hippopotamus,” Zalakoma told reporters.

“13 people swam to the shore of the Mtayamoyo River,” she said, adding that the death toll was expected to rise as police detectives and rescue teams searched for the missing people.

The lawmaker for the district, Gladys Ganda, who also confirmed the incident, said the river was risky and infested with hippopotamuses and crocodiles.

“Mtayamoyo means ‘death trap. You cross that river at your own risk because it’s infested with crocodiles, it’s infested with hippos and the canoes that are operating around that area are not motorboats.

“So, when you are crossing, you actually know that I am doing this at my own risk. I have done that before, and it’s very dangerous to do that.”

Ganda said the accidents could be avoided by constructing a bridge across the river.

“Mtayamoyo bridge has to be constructed and probably other bridges that would take us into the fields. But Mtayamoyo bridge is a must, it’s not a luxury anymore. That is a necessity, it has to reduce the deaths that are happening around this area.”

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.