Mysterious Crocodile “Macheni” Strikes Fear in Lake Kariba’s Gatche Gatche Community
In the tranquil surroundings of Gatche Gatche, a small fishing community nestled along the shores of Lake Kariba, a mysterious and fearsome creature has captured the attention of locals and visitors alike. This enigmatic figure is none other than “Macheni,” a crocodile believed to possess supernatural powers, according to the residents of this lakeside settlement.
What sets Macheni apart from ordinary crocodiles, as per the vivid accounts shared by the community members, is its peculiar and unsettling feeding habits. It is said that this elusive giant reptile has claimed the lives of more than 21 individuals, predominantly fishermen, in a manner that defies conventional explanations. The victims, while otherwise untouched, met a gruesome fate of losing their private parts to the jaws of Macheni.
The nickname “Macheni” has become synonymous with dread and mystery in Gatche Gatche, resonating with a belief that this creature is no ordinary predator. Speculations and rumors abound, with some asserting that Macheni is not acting on its own accord but rather serving as a tool for someone possessing formidable magical prowess.
One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their thoughts on the matter: “There’s something sinister about Macheni. It’s as if someone is controlling it, using its unnatural hunger for human private parts to fuel dark rituals or some unknown agenda.”
The presence of Macheni has cast a pall of fear over the once peaceful community, leading to heightened vigilance among fishermen and locals venturing near the waters of Lake Kariba. Stories of encounters and near misses with the creature have become part of the local folklore, contributing to an aura of mystery that shrouds Gatche Gatche.
Authorities have been alerted to the situation, and efforts are underway to investigate these unsettling claims. However, amidst the whispers of supernatural forces and unseen hands guiding Macheni, the truth remains elusive, leaving the residents of Gatche Gatche caught between fear and curiosity about the mysteries lurking beneath the serene surface of Lake Kariba.
Residents of Kariba, who spoke to H-Metro over the weekend, maintain that this is an “apparition crocodile.”
They assert that this is precisely why officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority have struggled to locate and eliminate it. According to sources, the majority, if not all, of the attacks have occurred in the same vicinity.
In response to inquiries from H-Metro, Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo stated that residents in the affected region perceive this as a “supernatural crocodile.”
He revealed that:
l A total of 32 lives were lost from crocodile attacks in Lake Kariba, between Sanyati River and the Lake Kariba Dam Wall, between 2016 and 2023.
l Between 2016 and 2023, 38 crocodiles were eliminated during the same period. Over 40 crocodiles were also captured and translocated.
“As from 2019, legal and illegal gill netting fishers in Gatche Gatche area assumed that crocodile attacks taking place in the Tsetse Island general area were caused by one crocodile,” said Farawo.
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“While the fact that the attacks are caused by only one crocodile remains an assumption, efforts have been made by Zimparks to assess the area and to eliminate suspect crocodiles in the general area.
“The community has named the alleged crocodile ‘Macheni.’ Reasons for the assumption that the crocodile attacks were caused by one crocodile emanated from the fact that most of the attacks were taking place in one general area.
“The fishers have a belief that the crocodile is a spiritual crocodile and this is the reason they named it ‘Macheni,’ since they claim that the crocodile used to only remove testicles from men after the attack.”
He explained that their observations have brought to light several key points:
- Crocodile attacks in the area predominantly occur at night, a time when illegal gill netting activities take place, indicating involvement by poachers. The location in question, referred to as “Macheni Bay,” is not authorized for fishing, further complicating response efforts as illegal fishers often delay reporting attacks.
- The concentration of attacks in this specific area can be attributed to the influx of people engaging in illegal fishing, likely attracted by abundant fish stocks. Crocodiles naturally gravitate towards areas with high fish populations, leading to heightened conflict.
- Despite the elimination of more than 7 crocodiles in the region between 2020 and 2023, the Gatche Gatche community remains convinced that the purported ‘Macheni’ crocodile is still at large.
- Challenges arise from delayed reports of attacks, which hinders timely response and search efforts since reports are often received days after the incidents occur.
- Efforts have been made to involve the Gatche Gatche community in identifying the alleged crocodile to facilitate its elimination upon sighting. Collaboration with the fishers association continues to aid in identifying the target crocodile.
Additionally, he mentioned that between December and January of this year, Zimparks increased anti-poaching patrols at Tsetse Island, successfully removing all periodic illegal shelters set up by poachers.
“Since then, no person has been attacked by crocodiles at the alleged ‘Macheni Bay.’
“We are still working with the community to identify the alleged crocodile, once the crocodile is identified, we will eliminate it.”
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