http://www.theheral<WBR>d.co.za/herald/<WBR>news/n02_<WBR>15012008.<WBR>htm

Sighting of legendary river mermaid in Western Cape

Aldo Pekeur HERALD CORRESPONDENT

IT may have been a case of too many magic mushrooms in the potjie, but a group of
friends enjoying a braai on the banks of the Buffelsjags River at Suurbraak, a village close
to Swellendam in the Western Cape, have reported spotting a legendary mermaid-like
creature, known locally as the Kaaiman.

And the town`s tourism bureau is taking the claims seriously. According to legend, the last
sighting of the Kaaiman was about 15 years ago, with it previously being spotted more
than 20 years before that.

Suurbraak resident Daniël Cupido said he and a group of friends were relaxing next to the
river last weekend when, at about 11.30pm, he heard something which sounded like
someone "bashing on a wall".

Cupido walked toward the sound. At a nearby low water bridge, he said he saw a figure,
"like that of a white woman with long black hair thrashing about in the water".

Thinking to save her, he waded toward her, but said he stopped in his tracks when he
noticed a reddish shine in her eyes. The sight sent "shivers" down his spine, yet he was
pulled forward as if hypnotised.

He called for his child, Deidrian, 13, and his nephew, Werner Plaatjies, 11, to help him,
breaking his trance. He then shouted to his friends to take a look as well. Martin Olckers
said he saw a female figure swimming, first on one side of the low water bridge, then on
the other, and then standing on the bridge before diving back into the black water.

He said the figure made "the strangest sound", like a woman crying. His mother, Dina, said
the figure sounded so sorrowful "my heart could take it no more". Her husband Martinus
said their parents had warned them about the Kaaiman, but they never believed it existed.

The Kaaiman is described as a half human, half fish creature which lives in deep pools. It is
white and has long black hair and red eyes.

Some people hold the Kaaiman responsible for drownings.

Suurbraak tourism officer Maggy Jantjies said she knew the people who saw the Kaaiman
well, and that they did not misuse alcohol. �?West Cape News