The Wild Life Trade and Regulation section of the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in the Vhembe region has issued a strong warning to communities in Tshivhilwi and the surrounding villages not to attempt to swim or fish in the Mutshundudi River.

The warning came after testimonies that it is crocodile-infested. The chief nature conservationist, Mr Frank Muthelo, said five rangers had been deployed in the area with the main aim of protecting the communities from crocodiles in the Mutshundudi River. The rangers shot and killed a crocodile on Sunday morning.

The 12-year-old Mpho Mugwena from Tshivhilwi has been missing for a fortnight, after he had gone swimming, and the communities believes that the boy might have been killed by a crocodile. “We skinned the dead crocodile in the presence of the state veterinaran, community leaders and family members on Sunday. We found the remains of the bones of a mauled dog in the crocodile, but no human bones," said Muthelo.

He urged communities to remain calm and listen to the wildlife rangers.

Mr Avhashoni Makhale said while they appreciated the services rendered by deployed rangers near the river, they still urged the department to extend its services because the remains believed to be of young boy had not yet found since his disappearance. “We were emotionally touched by the incident. We will feel much better if the remains of the young boy could be found, so that we can give him a burial,” said Makhale.