By Rangarirai Shanyurai
A 13-year-old boy from Mashingaidze Village Chief Gutu drowned on January 26, 2025 in Deure River while herding cattle with another boy aged nine.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of Celebrity Mabhuku (13) to TellZim News, who drowned on January 26 and urged members of the public not to cross flooded rivers or streams.
“I can confirm the incident of drowning in Gutu where a 13-year-old boy drowned when he was swimming in Deure River with a nine year old boy while herding cattle on January 26.
“I urge members of the public to never to attempt crossing flooded rivers and to look after their minors. Cases of drowning are on the rise, from last Friday to this Thursday we have recorded 11 cases of drowning. The other thing that is worrying is that minors are drowning,” said Dhewa.
Sources privy to the incident said on January 26 at around 1400 hours Mabhuku and the other minor were herding cattle in Mashingaidze village near Deure River. They started to swim in the river and Mabhuku failed to swim and drowned. His other boy reported the incident to the villagers and his body was retrieved from the river.
The police were notified and the body of the deceased was taken to Gutu Mission Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
