MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIVI- Marufu Village in Headman Musvuugwa area under Chief Chivi was plunged into mourning as a young life was taken unexpectedly as this was regrettably preventable had the mother taken basic precautionary measures.
The way three year old Mitchel Nyoni drowned and died was unexpected, but it was preventable if the parents had heeded the many warnings being issued during the rainy season by the Police, civil protection unit or local leadership, not to leave children playing alone or near water bodies.
Most water bodies are full or flowing due to excessive rains being experienced in the country and parents and guardians are always advised to keep children away from such places, said Assistant Inspector Lorine Ndhlovu of ZRP Masvingo Province public relations department.
Mitchel’s life ended at home just 100 metres away from where her mother, Esnath Marufu (27) was doing some household chores while she was playing with her other two friends near a river.
The three toddlers decided to go to Mushambigwe River to play and that is when tragedy struck as Mitchel slipped into the river and drowned at around 3pm on February 18 this year.
The mother heard sounds from the river of someone screaming and upon investigations that is when was told by Mitchel’s friends that the later had slipped into the water body.
The Police said Marufu alerted her uncle, Pedzisai Simba and other villagers who came and tried to render first aid, but the girl had already died.
The matter was reported to the Police and since no foul play was suspected, Chivi Magistrate, Rutendo Jakati waived post mortem to allow Mitchel to be laid to rest.
