The ManicaPost
Post Reporters
A 20-year-old Mutare man last week drowned under unclear circumstances in a swimming pool during a birthday party held at a rented Weirmouth property.
Ralf Fungai Getsi Murera’s family has since requested the police to get to the bottom of the issue and ascertain what really took place last week on Saturday at Plot Number 40, Weirmouth, during a joint birthday bash for the Munongwa twin brothers.
Murera was among the invited guests at the pool side party which saw seasoned disc jockeys, 37 OFF, Zintronix and Stavoe belting out the tunes.
Although the case had been initially treated as drowning, Murera’s family is getting suspicious as the people who were with him moments before his death are not opening up on what actually transpired.
Murera’s brother, Rueben, claimed there is more to the case than meets the eye.
But seventeen-year-old Ezra Kurewa said he saw Murera diving into the swimming pool and anticipated that he would resurface safely.
When Murera was finally retrieved from the pool by one of the guests, it was too little, too late.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said preliminary investigations carried out at the scene showed that Murera was drunk when he jumped into the deep-end of the pool and drowned.
“Takudzwa Munongwa (20) and his twin brother, Tinotenda, held a birthday pool party last Saturday.
“They invited several guests, including the now deceased. At the party, Murera and other guests were drinking beer and swimming in the shallow part of the swimming pool. At around midday, Murera jumped to the deeper part of the swimming pool and drowned. He was retrieved by Metro Hondo (21) who was among the guests.
“First aid was rendered on Murera. Wellington Maradza (21) volunteered to ferry Murera to Dangamvura Polyclinic using his motor vehicle.
“Upon arrival at the clinic, Murera was transferred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he received treatment and later died around 6pm,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Detectives interviewed the owner of the house, Tracy Makoni (85), who said the Munongwa twins approached her with a request to throw their birthday party on her property.
She gave them the green light.
However, Murera’s brother, Reuben, is not ruling out foul play.
“It is painful my brother. We are at a loss of words as a family. He was a fine young man who was peaceful and loving. There are issues that are not clear. We are not pointing fingers at anyone, but we are not sure why people who were said to have picked him and took him to hospital are not opening up on what exactly happened just before he breathed his last.
“It is suspicious as people who saw him dying are not forthcoming to shed more light on what really transpired. I learnt that he was rushed to the hospital by three people. At least if these people open up, we will understand what really happened.
“It is depressing that none of the people who were present at the pool party are willing to shed more light on what happened. We are hearing that he was naked when he was taken to the hospital. All we have now is just hearsay.”
He added: “We suspect foul play. The post mortem is saying the alcohol he consumed may have contributed to his death. Nothing is being associated with drowning. On Saturday evening, hours after his death, blood was oozing from his mouth. Could that be drowning?”
