Teen drowns in Pumula

Peter Matika, @petematika

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Bulawayo’s Pumula East suburb who went missing on New Year’s Day has been found dead in the infamous Emagodini pools in the suburb.

Police confirmed the death of Thapelo Abel Dube, who was last seen on 1 January at 11 AM, only to be found underwater in one of the pools of “death.”

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said Thapelo was a grade 7 pupil.

“On the 1st of January 2024 at around 1100 hours, the deceased’s mother asked Thapelo Abel Dube to take her cellphone to their neighbour so that it could be put on the charger. The now deceased took the cellphone and left it at their neighbour’s place of residence but he did not return home.”

“On the 2nd of January 2024 at around 0700 hours, the mother tried to locate her son at his friends’ place of residence but one of his friends stated that the now deceased passed by his place of residence and asked him to accompany him to Emagodini Pools, Pumula South, Bulawayo for swimming but he declined, citing that he cannot swim,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She said Thapelo’s mother established a search party and proceeded to Emagodini Pools to search for her son.

It was during the search that a grim and gloomy cloud formed, when they found Thapelo’s khaki shorts, sweater and a pair of blue open shoes on top of a rock.

They then made a report to the police whose sub-aqua unit attended to the scene.

“Police Sub Aqua Unit attended to the scene and the body was retrieved underwater in one of the pools which was near where the deceased’s clothes were found. No injuries were noted on the body. The body was ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She urged parents and guardians from the neighbourhood to monitor and educate children under their care about the dangers of playing in the area.

“Passers-by are urged to chase away such children if seen playing in such pools, to avoid similar incidents, especially during the rainy season,” said Asst Insp Msebele