adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE body of a man from Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo was found floating in Inkwali pool now referred to as “pool of death” in the same suburb in a suspected case of suicide on Thursday.
Passersby stumbled on Mkhululi Ngwenya’s body floating in the pool on Thursday morning.
His family said that he had been missing for more than a week, adding they were stunned to be told he was dead.
A Chronicle newscrew visited the scene at about 11AM and found residents flocking to see the body, which was still in the pool. The residents said the pool was cursed as many people have drowned in it.
Muzi Mpofu, Ngwenya’s grandfather said the family had been searching for him. “He went missing last week on Thursday and we’ve been searching for him. We don’t have much to say as we don’t know what happened.”
Entumbane councillor Gladys Masuku said she received a report that Ngwenya was missing last week.
Clr Masuku said residents had been searching for Ngwenya and she was only informed of his death yesterday morning.
She said residents suspected Ngwenya could have killed himself as he had suicidal tendencies. “There are rumours that he might have thrown himself into the pool.
“Some people say last week he was chased away by National Railway of Zimbabwe engineers who found him lying on the railway line, apparently waiting for a train to run him over,” she said.
Clr Masuku said a number of residents had over the years, drowned in the pool. “This isn’t the first time such a thing has happened. Many residents have thrown themselves into the pool and drowned. This is certainly the work of evil spirits,” said Clr Masuku.
She said the pool should be fenced to protect residents.
A resident, Zephaniah Dube said the same pool where a number of people have drowned was being used by some religious sects to baptise their members. “Just last night we heard that some people were baptising each other in this dam. This morning we’re here to attend to a body. This is not the first time anyway. Years back some people drowned while baptising each other in this pool,” said Dube.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango yesterday said investigations into the drowning were underway.
Online Reporter