Schoolboy drowns in disused pond
A GRADE 6 student drowned in shallow disused ponds near Ingezi suburb in Kadoma on his way home from school on Friday afternoon.
Emmanuel Mavhunga (12) was swimming with peers when he lost control and drowned.
His body was retrieved by police on Saturday morning and buried yesterday.
Emmanuel’s father, Prosper Mavhunga, struggled to hold back tears as he spoke about his son.
He expressed his disbelief and grief at the tragic accident, which he said could have been avoided if his son had been with familiar companions on the day of the drowning.
He said the loss of his son had left him feeling helpless and alone, as he struggled to make sense of the situation.
“He was with unfamiliar friends when they went to swim in the ponds. I had to rush back home from work in Norton after being informed of the shocking news.
“He would normally come home with my friend’s son from school, and I’m yet to establish why he was with the boys he went to the ponds with,” he said.
He hoped that something could be done about the ponds to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
Ingezi residents banded together to call for action from local authorities to prevent further tragic deaths of children swimming in open pits and ponds.
The residents are appealing for barriers and warning signs to be installed around these dangerous areas, along with educational campaigns for children and families.
They hope that these measures will help prevent future tragedies and ensure that their suburb and town remains a safe place for children.
“Vana vedu vanotoda dzidziso yakasimba. SemuRimuka, many of our kids vanoenda kudhigidho vamwe kune riri-opposite Baobab uko.
“Let’s educate them on the dangers, while waiting for our council to do something,” said one Mama J, on the Kadoma mayor’s WhatsApp engagement group.