Friends drown in Rusape River

A SWIMMING expedition by two Rusape teenage girls ended tragically when they drowned in Rusape River last week.

The two - Bridget Mabvondo of house number 1715, Mabvazuva, Rusape; and Talent Makuni of Silverbow, both 17, had gone swimming with another friend, Felix Makina (24), when tragedy struck.

Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean confirmed Mabvondo and Makuni’s deaths.

Asst Insp Clean said Mabvondo, Makuni and Makina were going to Concorpia Farm, popularly known as Dhereki, when they passed through Rusape River. Makina met an unidentified friend and left the girls alone, promising to come back.

“The two girls decided to swim in the river while waiting for Felix’s return. Bridget was the first to jump into the river. As she was drowning, her friend dived into the water trying to save her, but also drowned.

“A nine-year-old girl who was nearby saw what was happening and rushed to inform her mother, Mrs Rosemary Jazi. Mrs Jazi called for help, but unfortunately the girls were already dead by the time help arrived. Mrs Jazi reported the matter to the police,” said Asst Insp Clean.

In an interview with The Manica Post, Mabvondo’s sister, Confidence King, said her sister’s death came as a shock.

“I left Bridget with my 10-month-old baby to go to work early in the morning. Around 1pm, I received a call that two girls had drowned in Rusape River and one of them was Bridget.

“I quickly took a taxi and rushed to the bridge near Bonjour (Harupwi River Lodges). I found my sister and her friend’s bodies floating in the river. Police attended the scene and retrieved the bodies,” she said.

Makuni was a Form Four student at Destiny private college.

Her headmaster, Mr Jorobiam Kwangware, confirmed that on that fateful day, Makuni had not attended school for unknown reasons.

Asst Insp Clean said members of the public should not cross or swim in flooded rivers.