adminRichard Muponde Gwanda Correspondent
TWO Gwanda villagers drowned after one of them entered Hokayi Dam in West Nicholson to retrieve a kudu which was drowning, only for his colleague to also meet his death as he tried to rescue him.
The incident happened last Thursday morning at Johnsley Resettlement area and reports say the kudu also drowned.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector, Nkosilathi Sibanda yesterday said:
“Yes, I confirm that two people drowned in Hokayi Dam at the Johnsley Resettlement area in West Nicholson on the 2nd of June at around 10AM. The deceased, Maqeda Ncube and Utsuhile Molisa both from Johnsley area saw a kudu that was drowning in the dam. Ncube went into the dam to try and retrieve it but failed and drowned,” said Ass Insp Sibanda.
“When Molisa saw that his colleague was drowning, he also jumped into the dam intending to help him, but he also drowned. Their bodies were removed by our sub aqua unit on Friday and taken to Gwanda Provincial hospital mortuary for post-mortem.”
Asst Insp Sibanda appealed to members of the public, especially those who cannot swim, to avoid going into water bodies as that could lead to loss of lives.
“We’re appealing to the public especially those who know that they can’t swim do desist from getting into dams or any other water body as that has proved to be fatal,” said Asst Insp Sibanda.
derick.khumalo