-as Gokomere boy (8) drowns
MIDWEEK REPORTER
GOKOMERE-Police in Masvingo Province have expressed concern over an increase in the cases of drowning especially involving young boys.
In the last 10 days police have recorded more than five drownings in Triangle, Ndanga, Bikita, Zaka, Gokomere including one where a grade 7 learner drowned while coming from writing the last ZIMSEC exam as he tried to cool himself in a river.
“There is a surge in drowning cases in the province and they all involve minors. We suspect that due to extreme temperatures being experienced children are tempted to cool themselves in the water bodies and end up drowning as some dams are now filled with mud due to low water levels.
“We strongly urge parents and guardians to frequently check on their children’s where about and stop them from playing near water bodies,” Masvingo province deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu told The Midweek Watch.
Patinyu said the sad Gokomere incident happened at around 4pm on Friday when Jolly Zimbudzi of Mangenge Village under Chief Zimuto together with his nine year old brother were sent by their grandmother to fetch water from Matova Dam meant to build a toilet at their homestead.
The two started swimming in the dam and that is when Jolly got stuck in the muddy water until he died.
Villagers who quickly reacted to the accident only managed to rescue the nine year old brother who was also stuck in the mud, unfortunately Jolly had died.
Jolly’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for post mortem.
