Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
TWO villagers – Milton Mukombore and Danai Ngirishemi – are currently stranded on an island in the Nyamombe River after the water level swelled yesterday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Sub Aqua Unit.
The villagers, from Mutambara Village under Chief Katerere, in Nyanga were on a fishing expedition when they became marooned.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, adding that rescue efforts are underway.
“The two villagers were fishing along Nyamombe River and, in a bid to catch more fish, they swam to a small island on the river. It started raining upstream and the river suddenly flooded, trapping the two on the island. The two were seen by some children who were herding cattle nearby. The children alerted a Neighborhood Watch Committee member and other villagers, who rushed to the scene. They attempted to rescue the two by throwing ropes, but the ropes failed to reach them. The ZRP Sub Aqua Unit is on its way to rescue the two villagers,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The incident highlights the dangers of fishing in swollen rivers, a risk that has claimed several lives in the province. In a similar incident, 10 villagers were marooned on an island in the Save River in Chipinge.
