Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
Zimpapers Writer
SIX women from Mberengwa District in the Midlands Province were rescued after being stranded overnight on a river island following a sudden surge in water levels at Mwenezi River.
The women, from Machingwe area in Ward 28 under Chief Chingoma, had gone to the river on Saturday to fish when rising water levels cut off their escape route.
Mberengwa District Development Co-ordinator Mr Vafios Hlabati confirmed the incident, saying the women were marooned around 7PM on Saturday and spent the night trapped on the island before being airlifted to safety on Sunday afternoon by an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter.
“I can confirm that on Saturday, January 18, six women from Ward 28 in Mberengwa District were marooned in Mwenezi River while fishing. They spent the whole night there,” said Mr Hlabati.
He said his office was alerted early Sunday morning, prompting swift activation of the District Civil Protection Unit.
“I was phoned around 8AM on Sunday. We immediately deployed our District Civil Protection Unit team, including the sub-aqua unit, to assess the situation. After noting the high water volume, we requested assistance from the Air Force of Zimbabwe to carry out the rescue,” he said.
Two of the six marooned women who were rescued from an island in Mwenezi River.
The women’s ordeal ended when the helicopter was dispatched to the area and airlifted them to safety.
“I am delighted that all six women were rescued without injury and are now safely reunited with their friends and relatives. I want to thank the Government under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the Member of Parliament for Mberengwa Central, Cde Tinashe Goga Shumba and our security teams for their teamwork,” said Mr Hlabati.
Members of the community commended the Air Force of Zimbabwe for the life-saving operation.
“These women are the backbone of their families, doing whatever it takes to put food on the table. We are relieved that they were rescued safely,” said Mr Ngoni Sibanda of Mberengwa Centre.
Mr Hlabati said the women were advised to seek medical examination, with costs covered by Cde Shumba.
“Cde Shumba also gave each woman US$100 and told them to seek medical attention at his expense,” he said.
Cde Shumba expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the Government for the swift response.
“We have a President who cares deeply about his people. In this case, he ensured that his children from Mberengwa Central Constituency who were trapped by floodwaters were rescued to safety,” he said.
He urged villagers to heed weather warnings during the rainy season.
“We appeal to communities to follow all weather advisories issued by forecasters. Schoolchildren and villagers should never attempt to cross flooded rivers,” said Cde Shumba.
