Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau

The ZRP Sub Aqua Unit has called off a search for the two men who drowned in Makhakavhule area on Saturday morning when their inflatable boat capsized in uMzingwane River.

Police, with assistance of community members, some 15km west of Beitbridge town decided to call it a day after searches yielded nothing for three days.

The team searched on a stretch covering 9km and at the confluence of the uMzingwane and the Limpopo Rivers.

Khathutshelo Mudau and Busani Ndou believed to be around 30 years had entered the flooded river in a vein attempt to get R800 for saving a drowning cow.

Two people managed to swim to the banks of the river after the mishap.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson , Inspector Loveness Mangena said further investigations were underway.

“A search between the place of occurrence and the confluence of the uMzingwane and Limpopo Rivers has yielded nothing. Further investigations are under and we want to advise people, motorists included to avoid crossing flooded rivers. This will help to minimise the unnecessary loss of human lives,” she said.

When tragedy struck the four men had been promised an 800 rands reward by a woman who wanted them to rescue her cow which was drowning in the flooded river.

The now-deceased, along with the two survivors, were reportedly coming from a village party known as a stokvel when they heard about the reward.

They then entered into an inflatable boat intending to rescue the cow.

Unfortunately, the boat capsized soon after they got into the violent tide.