A crocodile killed in Zambia by a resident armed with a spear has drawn attention after two young women from the same family died in suspected crocodile attacks in the Zambezi River within four days. However, there is no confirmed evidence that the animal killed by residents was responsible for either death.
The two women, identified as 22-year-old Monde Pelekelo and 20-year-old Sikwezi Pelekelo, were attacked while fetching water from the river near Sokoto Village in Sioma District.
Monde was reportedly dragged into the water by a crocodile in the first incident. Four days later, Sikwezi suffered a similar attack at the same location.
According to the account of the incident, Sikwezi had gone to fetch water at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, when a crocodile struck and pulled her beneath the surface.
Monde’s body was recovered a day after her death, while Sikwezi’s body remained missing for several hours before it was found floating in the river.
The deaths left the family grieving and prompted concern among residents, who suspected that a crocodile in the area was responsible for both attacks.
A group of four residents eventually took a canoe onto the river at night in search of the animal. Among them was Mola Simona, who said they waited until sunset before setting out.
“We waited for sunset and went to look for the crocodile on a canoe. Just a few minutes later, we noticed that the reptile was heading towards the same direction where it had attacked people. That is how we followed it,” Simona said.
Simona said he used a spear to stab the crocodile they encountered, believing it was the animal responsible for the two deaths.
He also expressed frustration that wildlife officers had been unable to locate the reptile during their search.
“The Department of National Parks and Wildlife were here but failed to find it. Now here I am. We killed it without a gun. If anyone ever doubted a spear, today they can see that it can kill a crocodile,” he said.
The residents later brought the crocodile onto land, where its appearance attracted the attention of onlookers.
Markings resembling the letters “MYJ” reportedly became a subject of discussion, with some residents speculating about their meaning. Some suggested a possible connection to witchcraft, while others dismissed the markings as coincidental.
There is, however, no evidence linking the markings to supernatural activity, nor has it been established that the crocodile killed by Simona and the other residents was the same animal involved in the fatal attacks.
The deaths of Monde and Sikwezi have raised concerns about the risks faced by people who depend on the Zambezi River for everyday needs such as collecting water. The circumstances also highlight the difficulty of identifying a specific animal in an area where crocodiles may be present.
Although residents believe they have killed the crocodile responsible, that conclusion remains unverified.
