Two toddlers drown in wells

In one of the incidents, a toddler fell into a well after she was left playing alone at her homestead.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Billie Dube said the incident happened last week at Siganda.

“The mother Ms Concillia Gumbo left home at 8 am to fetch vegetables from the garden within the homestead leaving her daughter playing alone. The daughter followed and fell inside a 25-metre deep well inside the homestead.

“The well was covered with a zinc lid. When the mother heard the sound of the lid, she went to check and discovered that her daughter had fallen in the well.

“Police at Siganda retrieved the body,” he said.

In the other incident, a Nkayi toddler also drowned in a well after he was left playing alone outside.

Inspector Dube said the incident happened last week at Tshutshu Village under Chief Madliwa.

“A three year-old boy was left in the custody of his

grandmother Cecilia Bhebhe (76) as the mother went to the fields.

“He requested for a cup of water and was given by his grandmother but did not drink the water. He went with the cup outside while the grandmother remained in the kitchen thinking he had gone to play,” he said.

Insp Dube said after an hour a neighbour Ms Senzeni Sibindi came and informed the grandmother that the child had drowned in a nearby well.

“The matter was reported at Nkayi Police Station by the parents.

“We advise parents to warn children against playing near water sources and to desist from leaving them playing alone without supervision,” said Insp Dube.