Boy dies trying to retrieve container

The acting provincial police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Sergeant Thabani Mkhwanazi said the incident occurred at around 8 am in Zimbili A village.
He identified the deceased as Innocent Ngwenya adding that his body had been taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a postmortem.
Sgt Mkhwananzi said Ngwenya was in the company of a 19-year-old friend when tragedy struck.
“The now deceased was in the company of his 19-year-old friend, when they proceeded to Zimbili Dam carrying plastic containers.
“As they were walking along the dam wall Ngwenya’s container slipped into the water. He then got into the water intending to retrieve it. As a result he drowned.
“His friend then rushed and informed the deceased’s family and the matter was in turn reported to the police. The body was later retrieved by the police with the assistance of members of the community.
“His body has been conveyed to UBH for a postmortem. At the same time we want to urge the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers or venturing into water bodies since they risk drowning, especially now that we are in the middle of the rainy season,” he said.
The incident comes a few weeks after two people from Plumtree drowned while crossing a flooded river.