In a horrible development, a mother watched helplessly as her 11-year-old daughter drowned in the river on Sunday afternoon, while trying to cool off.
The sad incident happened in Binga when the two were bathing in the Mbilizi River. The Mlibizi River is a tributary of the Zambezi River and is infested with crocodiles
We have learned from online publication New Zimbabwe, that 46-year-old Anna Mudenda of Mpali village under Chief Pashu was walking home from a neighbouring village in the company of her daughter Iresh. Due to the sweltering heat, Mudenda and her daughter decided to take a bath to cool off in the nearby river.
Unfortunately, Iresh and fell into the river. Her mother tried to rescue her but it was all in vain. Mudenda then sought assistance from, Tinerty Munkombwe, a villager who was watering his garden nearby. Unfortunately, by the time Munkombwe was able to reach Iresh, she had already drowned. He managed to retrieve the body, and the two later reported the matter to the police base at Tinde Business Centre.
Part of the police report describing the incident reads,
“On the 27th of September at 2 pm, the deceased Iresh Akale Mudenda, aged 11 and Anna Mudenda were going home from neighbouring Kamalumbu village.
“When they reached Mlibizi River, they decided to wash their clothes and take a bath. While bathing, Iresh slipped and drowned. Mudenda tried to rescue her but failed,”
Hwange magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje waived postmortem as no foul play was suspected.
