Tendai Muererwa
Buhera- A devastating family tragedy struck at Ruti Dam in Buhera yesterday after a fibreglass canoe carrying four relatives overturned in the darkness, claiming the life of a four-year-old girl while three others remain missing.
The victims were attempting to cross the dam at around 3am from Gutu to Buhera so they could catch a bus to Harare from Ndyarima Business Centre when disaster struck.
The body of Moreblessing Zvoushe (4) was recovered about an hour later after it was spotted floating in the water by a local fisherman. Relatives later identified the child, whose remains were taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The search continues for Modreck Rufu, Tecla Rufu and Peacemaker Zvoushe who are feared to have drowned in the incident. Sources indicate that Modreck Rufu was transporting his sister, Tecla and her two children across the approximately 500-metre stretch of Ruti Dam using a fibreglass canoe. Tecla was reportedly travelling to Harare and needed to cross the dam to reach public transport at Ndyarima Business Centre.
Before embarking on the journey, the group allegedly informed a local fisherman of their plans. However, shortly after setting off the canoe capsized throwing all four occupants into the water.
The Police Sub-Aqua Unit from Changadzi in Birchenough launched a search operation throughout the day but had not recovered the remaining victims by the time of publication.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said search efforts are continuing as authorities work to locate the three missing family members.
The tragedy has left relatives and community members anxiously waiting for news as the search enters another day.
