MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-Panashe Dumbu (15) from Dzimbe Location in Triangle was found dead after allegedly drowning in the Nyajena main water canal.
The sad incident is believed to have occurred between May 31 and June 2.
Masvingo Province police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told The Midweek Watch that Panashe left his home at around 8pm on May 31 without informing anyone and never returned.
His body was discovered on June 2 at around 4pm by a ZINWA employee, Blessed Muchekanyama (36), who was carrying out routine cleaning operations at Cyphone 14 along the Nyajena wall main water canal.
Inspector Dhewa said Muchekanyama was removing litter from the canal when his equipment hooked onto a body trapped against the iron bars.
He attempted to retrieve the body but failed and alerted the police and local villagers, who later managed to remove it from the canal.
The deceased’s father, Samson Dumbu (44), later arrived at the scene and positively identified the body as that of his son.
The body had bruises on the back.
Police attended the scene and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drowning are underway.
Meanwhile, the police have urged members of the public to exercise caution around water bodies and avoid unnecessary exposure to dangerous areas such as canals.
