adminThe Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya, said the incident occurred on Friday evening at Musetshe illegal crossing point.
He identified the man as Sidion Munyai of Sasatshe Village under Chief Matibe in Beitbridge District.
“On the fateful day, Munyai was in the company of two colleagues coming from South Africa and intending to cross into Zimbabwe through an undesignated entry point. They got into the flooded Limpopo River and started swimming, but on approaching the middle of the river, Munyai was swept away and drowned,” he said.
His friends managed to swim across and they tried to rescue him, but failed, said the police spokesperson.
The body, which was in a decomposed state, was discovered by a local villager, Cuthbert Dube two days later while floating in the water.
He reported the matter to the police who retrieved the body and took it to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem.
Asst Insp Ngwenya warned people against using undesignated entry points as they risked drowning.
“As police we would like to warn people against using illegal crossing points, particularly now that we are approaching the rainy season and most of our rivers are flooded,” he said.
Meanwhile, Asst Insp Ngwenya said they have arrested a 23-year-old Beitbridge woman for dumping her newly born baby boy. She wrapped the baby in a plastic bag before dumping it near a local sports bar along the road leading to the border post.
The two-day old baby was discovered by a passerby, Mr Arnold Masara on Sunday at about 1pm as he was coming from church.
Mr Masara heard the infant trying and reported the matter to the police.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the suspect Bridget Muleya of Dulibadzimu high density suburb would appear in court soon.
Muleya delivered the baby on Friday at Beitbridge District Hospital.
Online Reporter