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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A 25-YEAR-OLD Harare Polytechnic student, Tapiwa Madembo drowned while attempting to swim at Rest Camp swimming pool in Victoria Falls on Wednesday night, authorities confirmed.

Madembo was one of dozens of students from tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe and across Africa who attended the African Youth Forum which was held as a side event to the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) conference here.

The Youth Forum ended on Tuesday when students who presented convincing project proposals with a potential to become start-up employment and income-generating projects were presented with prizes.

Madembo reportedly went to Rest Camp in the company of some friends on Wednesday evening when he decided to swim despite efforts by friends to discourage him from swimming at night.

The Chronicle was told that he dived into the pool and moments later the unnamed college mate who decided to follow up on him, found his body submerged in water facing upwards.

Harare Polytechnic principal Dr Tafadzva Mudondo who is also ATUPA vice-chairman for Southern Central Region who is also in Victoria Falls, confirmed the incident.

Harare Polytechnic College

“It was an unwelcome development. It is quite devastating, shocking and debilitating as it was not expected,” said Dr Mudondo.

He said he was informed that Madembo decided to take a swim during the night and that is when the unfortunate incident happened.

“I would like to urge our students to prioritise their safety and if they don’t understand anything or they are not equipped for any form of exercise, they should seek guidance and protection from their seniors,” said Dr Mudondo.

Acting Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Namatirai Mashona confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.

She said Madembo and his colleagues went to the pool at around 7pm and 30 minutes later, he allegedly told them that he wanted to swim.

“He took off his clothes and dived into the pool and started swimming while his friend was concentrating on his phone. Later the friend decided to check on him when he could not hear any noise but could not locate him.
“He called out but got no response and upon further checking, found the body facing upwards,” said Assist Insp Mashona.

The unnamed friend called for help and Madembo’s lifeless body was retrieved before being rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body was expected to be taken to Bulawayo last night for postmortem.–@ncubeleo