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Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
POLICE sub aqua unit has retrieved four of the six bodies of people that were swept away by floods at Chongwe Bridge in Chiredzi on Wednesday evening.

The six were swept away by floods as they pushed a vehicle that was stuck in the middle of a bridge on a flooded river in Chiredzi.

A total of 14 other passengers who were also pushing the same truck managed to swim to safety.

National police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed that the police sub aqua team had retrieved four bodies and were searching for the remaining two.

“So far four bodies have been retrieved and three of them have been identified. The deceased include Roselyn Zeura, 17, of Village 4C Ngwara in Chiredzi, Nation Chikupe, 28, of Mbengwa Primary School in Chiredzi and Tadiwanashe Gono, 9, of Mbengwa Primary School in Chiredzi.

“The fourth body is yet to be identified,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He said the sub aqua team was still searching for the remaining two bodies and the search has been extended to Bhangala Dam downstream.

The six people drowned at about 8PM on Wednesday while they were pushing a Mazda Titan truck which got stuck in the middle of the bridge with 19 passengers on board.

The truck driver tried to cross Chongwe Bridge, which was overflowing and the vehicle’s engine stalled in the middle of the bridge.

This prompted the passengers to go out in a bid to push the truck to the other side of the bridge. Suddenly the water levels rose resulting in six people being swept away.

Police said 14 people including the driver managed to swim to safety.

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of heavy rains and potential flooding in some parts of the country until December 22.

The MSD said heavy rains have already damaged property in some parts of the country including Hwange, Guruve and Chitungwiza.

Members of the public have been urged to continue monitoring the weather conditions.

The MSD has also warned members of the public against crossing flooded rivers.

@pamelashumba1.