A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy from Shurugwi drowned after he jumped into a river and failed to swim.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a drowning case which occurred on January 26 in Makandire village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi,” Mahoko said.
He said the boy had gone to Musavezi River with two girls who reside in the same village to take a bath.
According to Mahoko, the youngest, aged seven, jumped into the river, but his two friends retrieved him before warning him not to jump into the river again.
“Moments later, the boy indicated that he wanted to relieve himself and moved away for a distance of about six metres before jumping into the river again. He failed to swim and drowned,”Mahoko said.
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He said efforts to locate him proved futile, adding that the police sub-aqua unit was yet to participate in the search.
Mahoko warned people against bathing in or crossing flooded rivers saying many lives have been lost in the province as a result of drowning.