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 Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A CENTRAL Intelligence Officer operative based in Bulawayo allegedly drowned at Lower Ncema Dam in Umzingwane on Saturday during an outing with his friends-one of them a prominent gold dealer and businessman Mr Shasha Gomez.

Brian Umera allegedly drowned after he fell from a boat on Saturday.

Rescuers are yet to retrieve his body.

Details relating to how he drowned were yesterday sketchy.

Lower Ncema one of Bulawayo’s six supply Dams.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident saying his body had not been retrieved.

“I can confirm receiving a report of a male adult who drowned at Ncema Dam. We’re told that he slipped into the dam while navigating on a boat on Saturday while with his friends. The sub aqua unit was deployed to search or his body on the same day but it has not retrieved it up to today (yesterday),” said Chief Insp Ndebele.

He urged members of the public who might be engaging in recreational activities to exercise caution to avoid loss of lives.

“If individuals know that they would be engaging in some leisurely activities that pose risks to their lives they should do so with a bit of some caution. In this instance I think he should have worn a life jacket which could have saved his life,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said with the country approaching the rainy season members of the public should avoid playing near water bodies as it increases chances of drowning.

BCC senior public relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the municipality was working with the police following the drowning incident.

She said residents have nothing to worry about in terms of safety of its drinking water.

“The City of Bulawayo treats water from its supply dams to ensure that it is of good quality for the valued residents. It should be noted that we ensure that there is no compromise to quality in the treatment of potable water for the residents of Bulawayo,” she said.

Sources said Umera’s relatives yesterday went to the dam, trying to understand how he drowned.

The family could not be reached for comment.

The sources alleged that Umera drowned while in company of local gold dealer Mr Gomez, who however declined to be associated with the matter.

“I can’t say anything about this issue. What I can only do is give contact details of the person who can shed light into this case,” said Mr Gomez.

The phone number he gave to the Chronicle was not being answered.
-@nqotshili