Drowning toll rises as locals defy flood warnings in three tragic incidents
by NORMA TSOPO
DEADLY currents have claimed four lives in a grim 72-hour nightmare as locals play Russian roulette with mother nature’s fury – including a boy who clung to a cow’s tail to cross a flooded river.
A series of heartbreaking and foolhardy incidents across the province, each grimmer than the last, have left communities reeling.
Manicaland police has issued a desperate plea after the triple tragedy. Acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, told The Explorer: “People should not at any time cross flooded rivers.”
COW BOY TRAGEDY
The first horror struck in Makoni district on January 14 in a reckless but commonplace stunt.
A young boy and his two friends, in a desperate bid to cross the swollen Rusape river, grabbed hold of a cow’s tail, hoping the animal could guide them to safety.
Tragically, the powerful current was too much. The boy was ripped away and drowned. Two others with him somehow survived the terrifying ordeal.
“FOLLOWED CAR TO DOOM”
Just two days later in Buhera district, two ladies met a horrific fate. Spotting another vehicle crossing a flooded river, they thought their private car could make it too.
“Their car stalled in the middle of the road and were dragged for about 150m by a strong tide,” said a devastated Asst Insp Chinyoka.
Their decision to follow the car ahead proved fatal.
EPILEPTIC WOMAN DROWNS
In a separate incident on the same day in the same rain-lashed Buhera district, a woman also drowned. Police revealed she was sadly epileptic, adding another layer of tragedy to the devastating week.
THE EXPLORER SAYS: How many more funeral dirges must be sung before the message sinks in? Your life is worth more than a shortcut. STOP. TURN AROUND. DON’T DROWN.
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