Online Reporter
Tafara Chibanda
FOUR children drowned in a tragic incident after floods swept away an Apostolic Church sect congregation who had sought shelter under a bridge in Gokwe South in the early hours of Friday.
The police said about 20 church members were holding a prayer session near Tare Bridge along the Gokwe-Siabuwa road when the disaster struck.
However, heavy rains upstream caused a surge of floodwaters, catching the worshippers off guard.
Midlands Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said;
“A wave of floods came and swept them away, they woke up to try and rescue themselves but unfortunately they failed to retrieve four children aged between 9 months and 4 years.
“The deceased have been identified as Beauty Mavhiringani (9 months) and Devine Muvhiringani (4 years) from Village Kamba, Pamela Natare (1 year 9 months) from Village Tsive, and Effort Shava (3) from Village Mudzimiri.
“All villages fall under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South,” he said.
The bodies were later discovered along the riverbank.
“A search is still going on to locate the outstanding body of a one year nine months infant,” Inspector Mahoko said.
The retrieved bodies were taken to Gokwe South District Hospital Mortuary.
