Mermaid. South Africa

 Location. Suurbraak, near Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa
Date: January 10 2008
Time: 2330
A group of friends enjoying a ‘braai’ on the banks of the Buffelsjags River have reported spotting a legendary mermaid-like creature, known locally as the Kaaiman. Local resident Daniel Cupido said he and a group of friends were relaxing next to the river last weekend when 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 hypnotized. 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. Some people believe that the Kaaiman is responsible for drownings.
Source: Aldo Pekeur Herald Correspondent January 15 2008 http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n02_15012008.htm