Asher Moyo
MUTARE-In an incident that has shocked residents in Fern Valley suburb in Mutare, two men drowned in a river during a religious cleansing ceremony.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the sad incident.
“I can confirm that two male adults died as a result of drowning at Fern Valley dam. The incident involved a female traditional healer. On the fateful day, the family was at Fern Valley dam when disaster struck,” he said.
Circumstances are that Paul Mupukuta (44) of number 1008 Area A Boka, Dangamvura approached Monica Mhlanga (58), a traditional healer for a cleansing ceremony on August 6.
Mupukuta took along his four children for the ceremony at Fern Valley dam.
The children got into the dam. After being immersed, three of the children came out. One child and the traditional healer were on the verge of drowning when Mupukuta, Clifford Mhlanga who is Monica’s husband and an unidentified Good Samaritan dived into the water and managed to rescue Monica and the child.
Unfortunately Clifford and Mupukuta drowned and died during the process.
A police report was made at Fern Valley police station who attended the scene and two bodies were retrieved by the police’s Sub-Aqua Unit.
Inspector Muzondo warned members of the public to exercise caution when approaching water bodies.
“Members of the public must be cautious when approaching water bodies especially Fern Valley dam, one can not tell whether he or she is at the deeper or shallow end.
“Because of this people risk drowning. If one is not a good swimmer, one must not play near water bodies. It is also dangerous even when trying to save someone drowning to swim into big water bodies,” said Muzondo.
He also added that they are investigating the matter to see if there is foul play or negligence.
“If there are elements of negligence found during the investigations, the court will decide on the matter,” he said.
