FILABUSI — Two children drowned while swimming in the Gumbani Dam on Sunday afternoon, police in Matabeleland South reported yesterday.
Report by Blondie Ndebele
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya identified the deceased as Delight Sibanda and Enrietha Tshuma (both aged 12) from Chief Maduna’s area in Filabusi.
“The incident occurred at around 12:30pm when the now-deceased in the company of Musawenkosi Sibanda (7) left home and went for swimming at Gumbani Dam,” Ngwenya said.
“Delight jumped into the water, while Enrietha was standing at the edge of the dam.” Ngwenya said when Delight was drowning, she tried to gain balance by pulling Enrietha by the leg, resulting in her falling into the water as well. “They both drowned as there was no one to save them,” he said. Ngwenya said Musawenkosi immediately returned home to inform her grandmother Denia Sibanda (53), who then reported the matter to the police.
He said the two bodies were retrieved later that day and taken to Filabusi Hospital.
Ngwenya said police were carrying out awareness campaigns to reduce cases of drowning which he said were on the increase in the province.
