Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
FOUR children, aged between nine months and four years, were swept away after they fell asleep under a bridge while seeking shelter from the rain with their parents in Gokwe on Valentine’s Day.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed that the police are investigating a drowning case involving four children, which occurred on February 14 in Gokwe South.
“The incident occurred at around 3.30AM when a congregation of an Apostolic Church sect of about 20 people were praying near Tare Bridge along Gokwe-Siabuwa road,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said seeking refuge from the initial light rain, the group took shelter under a dry bridge.
However, he said, as the rain intensified upstream, a sudden wave of floodwater swept in, catching them off guard.
Insp Mahoko said although the adults were able to wake up and rescue themselves, tragically, the four children drowned.
“Two children are from Kamba Village and their names are Beauty and Devine Mavhiringani (9 months and 4 years). The other two are Pamela Natare (1 year 9 months) of Tsive Village and Effort Shava (3) of Mudzimiri Village.
The bodies Devine, of Pamela and Effort were later found at the river bank between 1 kilometre and about 20 kilometers from Tare bridge,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said a search is still going on to locate the outstanding body of Beauty.
“The retrieved bodies were taken to Gokwe South District Hospital Mortuary and investigations are still underway, ” he said.
Online Reporter