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The incident occurred on 2 January.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said two bodies were recovered on Monday while the other body was recovered on 7 January. Two of the bodies were recovered 20 kilometres along the river from where the incident occurred.
“I can confirm that we have recovered three bodies of border jumpers, who drowned along Ramaokgwebane River on 2 January. The first body was recovered on 7 January after villagers alerted the police.
“The other two bodies were recovered from the river on Monday and it was the body of an 18-month baby and a 22-year-old woman,” he said.
The deceased persons were identified as Pocenta Ndlovu, a woman only known as Edith and the 18-month old baby, Rachel Ndlovu. The trio was swept away while trying to illegally cross the border into Botswana.
The parents of the baby were travelling with other passengers when they assigned two relatives, who were also in the vehicle, but had no travelling documents, to take the baby across, as she had no passport.
The trio dropped off upon arrival at Ngulubeni turn off, two kilometres from Mphoengs Border Post and they attempted to cross the river with the assistance of Mr Khulayo Sibanda, who later reported the incident.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter