adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 20-YEAR OLD man from Matobo District drowned in Gone River while attempting to retrieve his shirt from the water during a fishing expedition on Tuesday afternoon.
Acting Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said Terrence Mpofu died around 1PM at Sulunguzi Village. “Preliminary investigations reveal that Terrence Mpofu of Sulunguzi village in Matobo went fishing with David Masebele, 17 at Gonde River.
“After an hour Mpofu took off his shirt and threw it into the water and later jumped into the river to retrieve it. He then drowned before getting the shirt,” Asst Insp Ngwenya said.
He said Masebele then rushed to the village where he alerted Mpofu’s relatives who later retrieved the body with the assistance of other villagers.
“The matter was reported to the police and a post-mortem has since been waived by a Matobo magistrate,” said Asst Inspector Ngwenya.
He said police were concerned about the increase in incidents of drowning with reports of eight cases in the province since the rains started.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the police were carrying out awareness campaigns across the province on the dangers of crossing flooded rivers or venturing into water bodies during the rainy season.
Online Reporter