Residents of Leeuwfontein in Limpopo have raised safety concerns following the sighting of a crocodile near the Leeuwfontein Crossing earlier this week.

Middelburg Observer reports that a video circulating on social media shows a huge crocodile crossing the road between the local sewage treatment plant and the crossing on Monday evening.

The sighting has alarmed community members, who fear the presence of crocodiles in and around the residential area could place residents and livestock at risk.

Concerns over sewage plant activity

According to residents, crocodiles have been seen at the sewage plant for some time, but they believe ongoing refurbishment work at the facility may have disturbed them and forced them out of nearby bodies of water.

The sewage plant is situated near the crocodile-infested Olifants River, which runs north of the settlement.

Earlier this year, the Sekhukhune District Municipality announced that refurbishment work at the Leeuwfontein Waste Water Treatment Works was progressing well after construction began in March. The project is expected to be completed by November.

The upgrades include the construction of a new administration and laboratory building, as well as the installation of a secure perimeter fence. The municipality said the project aims to improve sanitation services, address persistent odour problems and restore dignity to surrounding communities.

Residents fear more sightings

Residents claim the latest sighting is not an isolated incident.

Community member Moshe Mashiloane said the crocodile seen in the video appears to be an adult Nile crocodile.

“The authorities need to intervene before the situation becomes worse. Before the upgrades started, I once saw a goat carcass in one of the ponds at the sewage plant. Residents have also complained about missing chickens. We suspect the crocodiles could be responsible,” he said.

Watch the video:

Bosveld Review previously reported that several crocodile sightings in the Mokopane area had raised concerns among residents living near rivers and areas recently affected by heavy rains.

In one such incident, a motorist drove over a crocodile on the R101 near Moorddrift while it was crossing the road.

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