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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A BABY (11 months) drowned in a bucket in Bulawayo’s Hillside suburb while his mother was outside the house on Wednesday morning.

Ms Enia Kuwa (22) allegedly left her son sleeping in the bedroom as she went outside the house to wash some clothes. When she later decided to check on him, he had already drowned in a 20-litre bucket that was next to the bed.

It is suspected that the baby woke up and attempted to crawl out of bed, but ended up falling into the bucket.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident which occurred at around 11AM.

“We received a report of a toddler who drowned while the mother was doing some chores outside the house. Investigations are underway,” said Insp Simango.

Ms Kuwa’s neighbour who identified herself as MaMoyo said by the time the baby’s mother decided to check on her son, he had already died.

“The baby was sleeping in the bedroom and when the mother decided to check on him, she found her son inside a bucket that was full of water and already  dead.

“The bucket was next to their bed and we suspect the baby crawled to the bucket and fell inside, probably head first,” she said.

Due to increasing drowning incidents, police have urged people, especially children not to play in or near water bodies.

In a statement recently, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba also warned parents to ensure that all water reservoirs are secured at all times. — @winnie_masara