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Hwange Bureau
Police in Matebeleland North have embarked on carrying out awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging communities against crossing flooded rivers during the current rainy season.
This follows the recent drowning (19 January 2022) of a seven-year-old Lubimbi boy from Bumbuti village under chief Kavula in Binga after attempting to cross a flooded river.
Matebeleland North Police Spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said the father of the deceased left the child at home and proceeded to his friend’s homestead.
“At around the 2pm the deceased was seen by another 13-year-old juvenile trying to cross the flooded Lukutu River intending to go to his grandmother’s homestead.”
“The 13-year-old juvenile advised the now deceased to go back home and only to wait until the water had subsided, but the juvenile defied the order and went upstream while the 13-year-old went down stream.
“After a while, the 13 year old saw a pink slipper floating on the river and identified it as that of the now deceased juvenile. He retrieved the slipper and ran to inform the deceased’s father and other villagers.
“A search was conducted around the river, at around 4pm where the body was retrieved lifeless by ZRP Dete,” said Insp Banda.
Insp Banda urged parents and guardians to monitor children especially when they are playing near water sources such as rivers while stating that the province lost over 20 people during the same period last year, a scenario which can be avoided.
“Last year we lost more than 20 people to drowning. We don’t want a repeat of what happened last year,” said Insp Banda.
Meanwhile, Inspector Banda has advised members of the public to work with its Sub Aqua Unit which is mandated with the task of rescuing drowning victims.
“The public is advised to work with the Sub Aqua Unit, other than trying to rescue victims of drowning accidents. Sub Aqua Unit also offers training of survival techniques ,so that in the event of a drowning incident, one can do something to rescue themselves,” he said.
“The lessons can only be offered on arrangement,” he said. Indaba
