Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba,Online Writer
A tragic drowning occurred in Nyagari Village in Mvuma Chirumhanzu when Munashe Muzinda (44) attempted to cross the flooded Nyagari River with his ox-drawn cart but was swept away.
His body was found two kilometers from the crossing point, while the oxen and cart were discovered 10 kilometers away six days later, unfortunately, the oxen did not survive.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the drowning case which occurred on Sunday last week.
“A villager and his ox-drawn cart were swept away by a flooded Nyagari River when they tried to cross at around 5pm. The now deceased approached the crossing point of the river and attempted to cross. He was aboard the cart which was being drawn by two oxen and everything was swept away, ” he said.
Insp Mahoko said the matter came to light when the now deceased’s cousin brother Xavier Madzivanyika tried to communicate with him through his cellphone and discovered that he was no longer reachable.
He said the two had been communicating on the WhatsApp platform prior to the incident.
“After becoming suspicious, Madzivanyika alerted other villagers who embarked on a search resulting in Muzinda’s body being found dead two kilometres from the crossing place. The oxen and the cart were nowhere to be found,” said Insp Mahoko.
He said the police attended the scene and the body was taken to Mvuma Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem.
“Searches for the oxen and the cart continued and were later located six days later, about 10km from the crossing point. The oxen were already dead,” said Insp Mahoko.
