SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO – Masvingo Province Police has warned the public against crossing flooded rivers and leaving children playing near water bodies.
The Police warning follows a number of people who were marooned on islands in big rivers across Masvingo Province which has one some the biggest water bodies in the country.
Masvingo Province Police, Community Relations and Liaison Officer, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told The Midweek Watch that they have received several reports especially in Chivi of people being trapped in flooded mighty Tugwi River trying to cross over to other villages.
“We received a report on 11 December from Tererai Dhinara from Gangashanga Village under headman Masunda in Chivi when he saw Josphat Gowo(40) and Angela Munyaka(40) trapped in a flooded Tugwi river and rushed for help at Chivi Police Station and they were rescued hours later after the water had subsided,” said Dhewa.
The two were coming from Bhati Business Center crossing to their homestead.
On the same date at around 4pm Genius Nyika(24) reported at Ngundu Police Station people who were trapped in Tugwi River in Chivi coming from Maringire Business Centre and because of the dangerous conditions and level of water a Sub Aqua Unit from Buchwa had to be summoned to rescue the trapped people two days later.
They managed to rescue them, but there is still a minor who is yet to be accounted for.
Dhewa urged the people in different communities to desist from crossing flooded rivers to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
