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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy from Mwenezi allegedly fell into a two-metre pit latrine and drowned while playing with a nine-year-old friend at home, police confirmed yesterday.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 1 PM.

No foul play was suspected.

Post-mortem was waived by Mwenezi resident magistrate Honest Musiiwa.

Insp Mazula identified the boy as Obvious Siziba of Hlupo Village under Chief Mazetese.

The boy and his nine-year-old friend were left home alone by Obvious’ grandmother on the fateful day.

A brave 15-year-old boy, who was the first to be told about the incident, retrieved the boy, but he was already dead.

“I can confirm receiving a report of a boy who drowned in a 2m deep toilet pit after falling into it. No foul is suspected and post-mortem was waived by a Mwenezi magistrate,” said Insp Mazula.

She said on the fateful day, Obvious was playing at home with another boy from the same village when tragedy struck.

The pair was playing near a two metre -deep pit latrine after they were left alone by the deceased’s grandmother Lovejoy Mushande, 40.

When the boy realised that Obvious had drowned, he rushed to tell his brother aged 15 who was at a dam, about a kilometre away from the scene.  “The 15-year-old body managed to retrieve Obvious’ body. Mushande later arrived and reported the matter at Mwenezi’s police’s Mlelezi base,” Insp Mazula said.

She urged people not to leave young children unattended.