Trio drowns on way to school

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Three schoolchildren drowned at Chihumbiri Farm Dam in Bindura last week when a canoe they were using to cross the dam on their way to school capsized, throwing all the occupants into the water. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident and said the children died last Thurs- day. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of three school- children who drowned in a dam at Chihumbiri Farm, Bindura, on 14 January 2016,” she said.

“On the said date at around 0730 hours, the three children were going to school using a pathway where they had to cross a dam. Upon getting to the dam, they got into a dugout canoe which was paddled by a 15-year-old girl.

“When they were about to reach the other end of the dam, the canoe capsized, throwing the occupants into the water. One of the occupants was rescued by an elderly man who witnessed the incident, while the other three drowned in the dam.”

The death of the three children comes after a 10-year-old boy, Mufaro Matemba, from David Livingstone Primary School in Harare drowned in the school’s swimming pool on Wednesday last week and was laid to rest on Friday at Granville Cemetery.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged parents and school authorities to ensure the safety of children during the rainy season. “Children should not be allowed to go on escapades.”

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