By Tadiwa Shunje
What began as a joyful marriage celebration ended in tragedy after a 26-year-old woman and her three-year-old child drowned in Tugwi-Mukosi Dam when a hired boat capsized during a leisure cruise in Chivi District on January 28, 2026.
Masvingo Deputy Provincial Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, confirmed the incident and said the victim, Liona Zendanyika (26) and her son Munyaradzi (3) both from Beitbridge were part of a wedding crew attending marooro (traditional wedding rites) at Dumbu Village, under Headman Gororo in Chivi District.
“I confirm the death of Zendanyika and Munyaradzi after the boat they had hired for a cruise struck a hard object in the water before it capsized in Tugwi Mukosi Dam,” said Ass Insp Patinyu.
Ass Ins Patinyu urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in recreational activities on water bodies, particularly during social gatherings.
“We advise to avoid overloading boats and to ensure that all safety measures are strictly observed, noting that Tugwi-Mukosi is a large and deep dam where negligence can easily turn fatal,” said Ass Insp Patinyu.
Circumstances are that on the fateful day, at around 1400 hours, members of the bridal squad decided to go for a boat cruise at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which is approximately one kilometre from the homestead where the wedding celebrations were taking place.
The hired boat was carrying nine adults and one child. About an hour into the cruise, at approximately 1630 hours, the boat reportedly hit a hard object, suspected to be a stone, causing it to crack and rapidly take in water.
Although the deceased were wearing life jackets, the boat quickly filled with water and capsized. The mother and her child became trapped and drowned at the scene.
Eight other passengers escaped and were rescued with the help of fellow revelers. The incident was later reported to the police.
Police attended the scene, and the bodies of the deceased were retrieved and taken to Chivi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
