By Sharon Chimenya
MASVINGO — Three people who went missing on March 31 after their canoe capsized at Mutirikwi Dam were found following an intensive four-day search.
The bodies were discovered in a state of decomposition, bringing a somber end to the rescue efforts.
The three, identified as Rangarirai Kovo of Chief Chikwanda, Robert Ndava of Mushandike Resettlement, Chief Charumbira, and Norman Ranganai of Stop Over, are believed to have gone out hunting.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and said that two were found floating in the dam, while one was found on the riverbank.
“On March 31, around 3 p.m., Munyaradzi Matyenyika (42) of Masocha Village, Chief Charumbira, was at Mutirikwi Dam’s C-point, Sikato Bay, fishing when he saw a canoe carrying three people capsize as heavy winds created large waves,” he said.
“Matyenyika said he saw the three trying to swim to shore, but they failed to reach the bank and drowned. He then alerted the owner of the canoe, who reported the matter to the police.”
The police attended the scene and were able to retrieve the canoe, which was on the riverbank, but failed to locate the three men. The Sub-Aqua unit also failed to find them but managed to recover a dead dog, a stool, and a torch that belonged to the trio.
“On April 3, relatives and villagers formed a search party from 9 a.m., and by 12 p.m. they managed to find the three bodies: two floating and one on the riverbed, all in a state of decomposition.”
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on the same date, a 12-year-old boy, Emmanuel Rungano, drowned in a pit in Zexcom, Runyararo West.
“Rungano was with friends when they went to swim near a police farm in Zexcom. At around 3 p.m., Lawrence Madziva (57) saw a body floating in the pit and rushed to report it at the Runyararo base station,” he said.
The police attended the scene, found the boy’s clothes next to the pit, and recovered the body.
Inspector Dhewa urged members of the public never to allow children to play near open pits and said that whenever children enter pools or other water bodies, a lifeguard should be present.
He said every parent, regardless of whether the child is their own or not, should discourage children from playing near pits and water bodies.
