- The 14-year-old boy was snatched by a crocodile while swimming
- Police commits to continue with the search indefinitely
- But they may stop it if the family decides so
- The family wishes for the boy’s body to at least be retrieved for solace
Efforts by the search team, led by the police to find the 14-year-old boy and form two student from Chobe Junior Secondary school who went missing in the Chobe River behind Seboba Recreation Park in Kasane after being snatched by a crocodile while swimming on the 6th September continues.
Following the incident, a search team consisting of police, members of BDF, wildlife officers and other stakeholders was deployed immediately at the scene to find the missing teenager, through all the channels of the river and the islands. In an effort to intensify the search the resources that include a police helicopter, an airboat were put to use and a team of scuba divers also conducted the search.
So far some crocodiles have been shot and traps set in the river in order to catch the crocodile that could have attacked the victim. The exercise also solicited collaboration with Namibia’s Impalila police.
Kasane Police Station Commander Station Commander, superintendent James Maabong said during the incident the victim was among other 15 students who went to the river to swim after being released from school to go home. He indicated that on arrival at the scene they found four students who told the police that their school mate had been snatched by a crocodile while he was trying to swim.
Maabong said that other students had run away when police arrived at the river.
Meanwhile, the station commander has indicated that they will continue with their search in order to find the missing teenager and they will not give. He indicated that the search for a missing victim will continue indefinitely as per the Police Act.
However, he stated that should the victim’s family members be satisfied with the efforts made by the search team and make a call for the search to be discontinued they may consider doing so. But Maabong remains hopeful that they will retrieve the 14-year old boy through their collaborative efforts.
Impalila Police Station Commander Matildah Likilame said that Namibia is committed to work with Botswana in finding the 14 year old boy. She stated that their collaboration with the search team will continue and end the way it started.
“We have to be strong enough, have encouragement to at least get something. If we cannot have something at least let’s pull up our socks together, we cannot pull back we are here for you,’’ she said.
The 14-year old boy’s aunt Thatayaone Kapinga has told this publication that she appreciates the efforts made by the search team to find the victim. Kapinga expressed that her wish is that the search team could at least retrieve the victim’s body parts so that they can feel comforted.
