Six drown in Tokwe-Mukosi Dam

POLICE in Masvingo have expressed concern over the increase in the number of suspected fish poachers who drown in the newly commissioned Tokwe-Mukosi Dam amid reports that six people have so far lost their lives in the dam.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed that the cases occurred between June and July but said the number could be more as some cases might have not been reported.

“We have received reports of drowning involving six suspected fish poachers at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam since it was commissioned sometime in May this year. We are worried at the rate at which people are drowning at the dam while catching fish.

“Most if not all of these people do not have fishing permits. The suspected poachers use home-made canoes which normally capsize during the fishing expeditions,” said Asst Insp Dehwa.

He warned members of the public against poaching activities saying there was a risk of drowning.

“Members of the public should desist from getting into water bodies for whatever purpose because it is always risky. They should wait to get fishing permits and learn to use proper canoes which do not easily capsize,” he said.

Asst Insp Dehwa said police were working with officials from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) so that poaching activities are curbed. He said it was an offence to fish in the dam without an operating permit from ZimParks.

The dam is the largest in the country and is about 72 percent full. The Government is working on coming up with an irrigation master plan. ZimParks has, however, put in more than 600 fingerlings into the dam for breeding purposes under a massive command fisheries project which will see local people getting fishing permits.