By Tavonga Munyanyi
A seven-year-old boy recently drowned in Musavezi River in Shurugwi in the full sight of two girls who were taking a bath with him in the river.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which happened on January 26 and urged members of the public to desist from endangering their lives through taking baths or crossing flooded rivers.
“I can confirm an incident of drowning where a 7-year-old boy drowned while bathing at a river with other two female juveniles. As police, we reiterate the point that members of the public should desist from endangering their lives through taking baths or crossing flooded rivers,” said Mahoko.
The three juveniles, all from Makandire Village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi were taking a bath at Musavezi River when the youngest one aged seven, a boy, jumped into the river.
The two girls retrieved him and warned him not to jump into the river again. Moments later, the same boy indicated that he wanted to relieve himself and went away for a distance of about 6 metres and jumped into the river.
He failed to swim and drowned, while efforts to rescue him proved fruitless.
He was swept then away and could not be located. The matter was reported to the police where specialists from the Sub-Aqua Unit came to help in the search. Since the onset of the current rainy season, many lives have been lost through drowning.
