Tendai Muererwa
Chimanimani – A cloud of sadness has engulfed Chimanimani community following the tragic drowning of a 22-year-old man at Bridal Veil Falls, one of the district’s popular tourist attractions.
The deceased, Nyasha Mashava (22), lost his life after reportedly slipping and falling into a deep pool of water while enjoying an outing with friends on 12 June 2026.
Manicaland provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka told The Midweek Watch that the incident occurred around 3:45 pm when Nyasha was in the company of Tyron Chimondo (26), Keith Tongai (33) and Irvine Tanaka Usavi (24). The group had visited the scenic falls when tragedy struck. It is alleged that Nyasha slipped on the wet and slippery rocks before falling into the pool and disappearing beneath the water surface.
His friends immediately raised alarm and made frantic efforts to locate and rescue him. However, despite their attempts, Nyasha could not be found. The matter was subsequently reported to the police by Tyron Chimondo, prompting the launch of a search operation.
Police officers and members of the community attended the scene and conducted extensive searches, but the victim remained missing. Due to the difficult terrain and the depth of the pool, the search efforts on the day of the incident did not yield any results.
The following day, on 13 June 2026 at around 12 noon, members of the ZRP Support Unit Sub Aqua team attended the scene to assist in the operation. After conducting a thorough search, the team successfully retrieved Nyasha’s body from the water. The body was taken to Chimanimani Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The tragic incident has left family members, friends and the local community devastated, with many expressing shock and sorrow over the untimely loss of a young life. The drowning serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by natural water bodies, particularly during recreational activities where slippery surfaces and deep waters can quickly turn a day of enjoyment into a tragedy.
