Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
In two separate incidents, three Buhera villagers — including a mother and her daughter – were swept away by a flooded river as they tried to cross it.
Lucia Dune of Mazakwata Village had her nine-month-old baby strapped on her back when they were swept away by the flooded Murambwe River.
The following day, another villager — William Mundwa — was swept away by the same river.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incidents.
“On November 4, Dune was coming from Chisora Village in the company of two young boys. She and her baby attempted to cross the river but they were swept away.
“The two boys called other villagers for assistance but Dune’s body was only found and retrieved the following day in Save River. The baby’s body is yet to be found,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
In a separate incident that happened the following day, William Mundwa (47) was assisting other villagers to cross the flooded river when he was swept away.
“Mundea attempted to assist Musafuri Hamani to cross the river but was swept away. His body was discovered by a villager, Francis Jomeya, who reported the matter to the police,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
He urged people not to try crossing flooded rivers. A Buhera villager, Kingsley Makono, expressed concern over the loss of life in flooded rivers.
“It is sad that we are losing a lot of villagers as they attempt to cross flooded rivers. Some of them assist people to cross these rivers in exchange of money or crops,” he said.