‘Drunk’ man drowns in flooded river

A 35-YEAR-OLD man from Esigodini, who was reportedly drunk, drowned while attempting to cross a flooded river last Sunday, police have confirmed.

Ambrose Mlalazi of Mazhowe village, under Chief Mathe drowned on Sunday night and his body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon by two women who were fishing in the Mazhowe River.

Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident of sudden death. She said investigations were underway. “I can confirm we received a report of sudden death of a man who allegedly drowned on his way from a beer drink. He was last seen at around 9pm on Sunday, only for his body to be discovered two days later floating by people who were fishing in Mazhowe River. Investigations are underway,” said Asst Insp Mangena.

She expressed concern that drowning incidents were on the increase despite police warning people not to cross flooded rivers or for children not to play near unsecured water bodies.

“Due to the large amounts of rainfall being received, we are warning members of the public not to underestimate water levels in water bodies as this has resulted in drowning incidents. Crossing flooded rivers is a risk to human lives. Sadly we continue to lose lives as people don’t take heed of police warnings.”

A villager who preferred anonymity said they suspected Mlalazi could have failed to cross the river because he was drunk.

“Mlalazi was among many other villagers who had spent the whole day drinking home brewed beer at Thembiso Dube’s homestead. At around 9pm he bid goodbye to everyone and left.

“His body was only discovered on Tuesday at around 4pm by Irene Dube and Nompumelelo Ndlovu who were fishing. They alerted other villagers who then retrieved the body,” said the source.

In January last year, a 42-year-old man from Esigodini also drowned following a beer drink.

The man who was allegedly drunk while in the company of a friend, drowned in Nsezi River while attempting to cross a flooded river on their way from Esibomvu Business Centre.

Since the start of the rainy season, the country has recorded several drowning incidents.