Zambina Man Killed By Suspected Hippo

A 37-year-old man, David Yombwe Simutowe, of More Light Compound, was tragically killed by a suspected hippo in Indeco Compound, Livingstone, on June 19, 2025, around 22:00 hours.

According to a statement by Southern Province Commanding Officer Auxensio Daka, Smith Lukwesa, 28, a neighbor of the deceased, stated that he and Simutowe had supper together around 21:00 hours. Lukwesa left Simutowe’s house at 21:40 hours and later received information that Simutowe had been attacked and kílled by a suspected hippo, which dragged him into the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Police officers visited the scene and found Simutowe’s lifeless body approximately 20 meters from his house, lying on its side with multiple wounds, including a large wound on the left arm with a fractured bone, and multiple wounds on the head that showed signs of biting force consistent with a hippo attack.

Neighbors reported seeing a hippo and its calf near the area’s perimeter in the late evenings, which is believed to be the animal responsible for the attack. The body was recovered and taken to Batoka Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem examination and burial.