No compensation for crocodile attack while swimming: Shifeta

WINDHOEK, 15 MAR  – The families of people killed by crocodiles and hippos as a result of swimming and bathing in rivers will not be compensated, the Minister of Environment and Tourism said Saturday.
Pohamba Shifeta said this while launching the Maurus Nekaro Conservancy in the Kavango West Region.
“We will not pay N.dollars 100 000 for people killed by crocodiles and hippos while swimming or bathing in rivers, because that is a situation that can be avoided,” said Shifeta.
According to the ministry’s revised human-wildlife conflict policy, families of people killed by wild animals will receive compensation of N.dollars 100 000, crocodiles and hippos included.
The minister thus appealed to parents, traditional and community leaders to warn children from swimming and bathing in rivers as it put their lives in danger of being caught and killed by crocodiles as well as hippos.
Shifeta urged community members who depend on rivers for water to conduct their activities such as bathing and washing of clothes on the banks of the river or rather at home after collecting water.
Statistics provided by the ministry showed that nine people were killed by wild animals in 2016, and six in 2017. So far, four people have been killed in 2018, three by crocodiles and one by a hippo.
The policy, drawn up after a consultative workshop in February 2017, makes provision for the establishment and implementation of technical solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

NAMPA