KARIBA — What started as a normal Lake patrol routine for four National Parks rangers ended tragically after their banana boat hit a tree and capsized, killing one of them.
The incident ocurred on March 19 at Gachekache area, resulting in the death of Casmel Matsikinye (40). Officials at Karana Police Station confirmed the incident, adding other members of the patrol team — Lovemore Chiimba, Moses Ngwada and Isaac Magarangoma — were saved by Lucious Chinamira of Dandawa Fishing Camp.
Matsikinye’s body was later retrieved by Lake Harvest divers and taken to Kariba Hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, a teenager Edward Kanyara from Pamuzinda Farm, Selous, allegedly drowned while swimming in Pamuzinda Dam with his four friends on March 23.
The incident was reported to Saruwe police who attended to the scene.
Mashonaland West Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara, said those who work in the water must wear life-saving jackets to prevent such tragedies.
“We urge all those who work in the lakes, dams and rivers to put on life-saving jackets so that they do not drown,” he said.
