The community of Mtetengwe village outside Beit Bridge has been losing goats and dogs to marauding crocodiles that have descended on the Mtetengwe River.

The deadly reptiles are believed to be part of the estimated 15 000 crocodiles that were washed into the Limpopo River from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm in South Africa during the January floods.

Mtetengwe River is a tributary which flows into the Limpopo River and it is suspected that the crocodiles could have found their way into a nearby pool through the flow of water.

Villagers who spoke to Limpopo Mirror said they were now living in fear of crocodile attacks, amid reports that a local herdboy, who went missing two weeks ago, could have been attacked by the reptiles. However, the local police spokesperson, Chief Supt Lawrence Chinhengo, said they were still investigating the mysterious disappearance of the boy.

One of the villagers, Mr Malindi Masilu, said he had lost six goats and a dog to the reptiles over a period of two weeks. “Crocs are waylaying our goats in a pool and I suspect they could be from South Africa. In fact, since I came to this village about 20 years ago, we have never witnessed such incidents because it is known that the Mtetengwe River has had no crocodiles until now,” he said.

Mr Samuel Muleya said villagers were now afraid to fish in the river “because there are crocodiles occupying a pool there. Our goats are going missing every day and this is because of these crocodiles,” he said.

The local ward councillor, Mr Joseph Muleya, said they had since informed a local safari operator contracted by Beit Bridge Rural District Council.