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Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
TWO people died in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province while attempting to cross a flooded Tshangane River on Friday night last week in a regrettable incident that has prompted the police to warn the public to desist from crossing water bodies in flood.
Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Province, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the incident.
The deceased have been identified by the police as Qhubani Moyo, a male adult of Ngombane village, Headman Mbanjwa, Chief Mabhikwa, Jotsholo and the second only as NaKokeso, a female adult also of Ngombane village, Headman Mbanjwa, under Chief Mabhikwa, in Jotsholo.
Circumstances are that on 3 January 2025 at 7 pm, a report was received at ZRP Jotsholo from an informant Nqobani Maduma of the same village as the deceased persons, that Qhubani Moyo and Nakokeso had been swept away and drowned as they were trying to cross a flooded bridge.
It is reported that the two, Qhubani Moyo and Nakokeso were travelling to Tshongogwe from Jotsholo.
On arriving at Jotsholo Bridge at Tshangane River, they found the river in flood.
They tried to cross over the flooded bridge and they were both swept away by the water.
The informant, Maduma, who witnessed the incident advised the village head and other villagers but efforts to locate the victims were fruitless.
A report was then made to ZRP Jotsholo on the same day and the police attended to the scene. ZRP Sub-Aqua was advised and attended to the scene of the incident. Investigations are still in progress.
“As police, we encourage motorists not to risk crossing flooded rivers at the insistence of passengers.
Drivers should avoid speeding because of the dangers posed by aqua-planning. It is back to school time and parents and guardians should not let their children cross flooded rivers when going to or coming from school.
Children should also avoid playing near water bodies where they are not monitored by adults,” said Insp Banda.
The Meteorology Services Department (MSD) is on record warning the public against crossing rivers in flood on foot, in vehicles or on scotch carts.
They also said the wet spell is also going to continue and the public must take extra caution as rivers and streams will flood and can lead to the loss of lives.
“Widespread thunderstorms occurred over much of the country yesterday leading to prolonged periods of continued rainfall during the evening. This was due to abundant moisture and an unstable atmosphere.
Heavy rain was primarily experienced in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Harare Metropolitan, Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces,” said the MSD. — @NyembeziMu
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
