Bid to quench thirst ends in tragedy

A MENTALLY-CHALLENGED man from Rusape drowned while trying to quench his thirst in Nyagadzi River, police in Mutare have confirmed.

Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death of Justine Mukova (37) from Headlands 15 A Chirenzva Village, Rusape, who drowned. The incident occurred on Sunday. Insp Kakohwa said: “On June 17 at around 11am, parents of the deceased, Leonard Mukova (73) and his wife Auxilia Makombe (68) of 15 A Chirenzva Village, visited a prophet by the name Amini Achi (34) of the same village together with their son to seek help for the latter’s mental problems.

“On reaching Achi’s house, they found no one, but they decided to wait for the prophet to come back.

“While they were waiting at the prophet’s house, Mukova became thirsty and went to the river, which is 150 metres away from Achi’s homestead.”

Insp Kakohwa added that the deceased leapt into the river and unsuccessfully tried to swim, which led to him drowning.

He added: “Mukova’s incident was witnessed by a female juvenile aged 11 who saw him diving into the river and his resultant drowning.”

After Mukova drowned, the girl rushed to the village and informed Stewart Kuchedza (47) who gathered other villagers to run to the river so that they could try and help Mukova, who was already dead when they arrived.

Mukova’s father also rushed to the river together with his wife, only to discover that their son had drowned, explained Inp Kakohwa.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police SubAqua Unit was called and retrieved Mukova’s body, which was ferried to Rusape General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

Insp Kakohwa warned members of the public to desist from entering large water bodies when they are not good swimmers.