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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
A TOTAL of 40 people have lost their lives across the country due to rain-induced incidents since the start of the 2024/25 summer season, including seven children who drowned in the past four days.

A five-year-old Early Childhood Development learner at Donkwe Donkwe Primary School in Kezi, Matobo District, Matabeleland South, was swept away by a flooded stream on Friday afternoon while on her way home from school.

Promise Ncube was travelling with two other five-year-olds after school had finished at midday. They had walked about five kilometres towards Sigwaza Village when heavy rains began.
Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni, said the three learners started running towards home but encountered a fast-flowing stream on the way.

“The other two learners managed to cross, but the deceased was swept away as she attempted to follow her classmates. Upon witnessing the tragic incident, her companions rushed home to inform their parents, who quickly attended the scene and managed to retrieve the body a few metres from the road,” said Ass Insp Mguni.

He said police attended the scene and transported the body, which is awaiting a post-mortem.

“Investigations are ongoing, but as the police, we continue to urge parents and guardians to always escort young children, especially during the rainy season. School authorities are also advised not to release such young learners to travel home unaccompanied,” said Asst Insp Mguni.

In Mawabeni, Umzingwane District, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) employees discovered the body of a seven-year-old boy floating in the filter at its slow sand filter at Mawabeni Water Supply yesterday while carrying out their duties.

In a recent report on rain-induced incidents and drownings, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) stated that on Sunday, a six-year-old ECD pupil at a Lupane school went missing and was later found dead in a nearby river.

“Her lifeless body was discovered trapped in roots, with scars on her face and private parts. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown, leaving the community shaken and searching for answers,” said the agency.

“The District Civil Protection structures are intensifying education and awareness in communities about the dangers of rainfall season hazards, including crossing flooded rivers.”

The CPU also reported that on Friday last week, heavy rainfall in Gokwe South, Midlands province, caused the Tare River to flood its banks. A group of over 50 members of the Johane Masowe eJerusalem Sect, who had taken shelter under the Tare River Bridge during a night vigil, were swept away by the floodwaters while asleep.

“Unfortunately, four minors — Muchiringani Devine (4), Muchiringani Beauty (9 months), Tsiva Pamela (20 months), and Shava Effort (3) — lost their lives. Three bodies were retrieved, while the search for the remaining minor is ongoing.

“The Department of Civil Protection has facilitated the burial of the minors through Doves Funeral Services,” the CPU report stated.

According to the agency, since the start of the 2024/25 rainy season, the Midlands province has recorded the highest number of deaths, with 10 fatalities, followed by Manicaland province, with eight.

Matabeleland North, South, and Bulawayo have recorded four and two deaths, respectively.
Mashonaland Central and Masvingo have also recorded four fatalities, Mashonaland East and West three each, while Harare is the only province with no reported deaths.

In other rain-related incidents, a herd of seven cattle was struck by lightning in Boyi Village, under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South District, on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Chiredzi, a marooning incident was reported on Sunday involving 13 people stranded on Lisungwe Island, located at the confluence of the Save and Runde Rivers in Mahenye. The group had been marooned for three days.

“Rescue efforts have been underway through the District Civil Protection Search and Rescue subcommittee, Chilo Gorge Lodge, and the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, with six people successfully rescued so far,” the report stated.

“Plans are in place to rescue the remaining seven individuals. However, one person is reportedly refusing evacuation, claiming to have sufficient food and being unharmed.”

In Nkayi District, Matabeleland North, a lorry loading river sand at the Tshangani River near Zinyangeni Business Centre was completely submerged on Friday last week when water levels suddenly rose.

The lorry’s engine failed to start, prompting the driver to seek help. Upon his return, he found the river had overflowed, and the lorry was fully submerged, with only a small part protruding.

“A lorry loading river sand in the river was suddenly submerged when the water level rose rapidly. The engine failed to start, prompting the driver to seek help. Upon his return, he found the river had overflowed, but fortunately, no one was trapped inside the submerged vehicle,” said the CPU.