Baptism mission ends in tragedy as pastor drowns

Zim Now Writer

An apostolic sect pastor drowned at Lumene Falls in Umzingwane District while baptising congregants.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena said the incident which occurred around 8am on April, adding that the body of Amukela Ncube, 48, from Nkayi is still in the river.

“I can confirm that we recorded a sudden death case of drowning. Amukela Ncube who is a pastor of an apostolic sect church went to Lumene Falls with congregants to conduct a baptism service. Ncube stepped into the river to check the depth of the water where he wanted to baptise the congregants and drowned,” she said.

Insp Mangena said a sub aqua team tried to retrieve Ncube’s body but failed as he is stuck in between rocks and there is a lot of pressure from the water.

The rescue mission, she added, was still ongoing.

Insp Mangena urged members of the public to desist from entering undesignated water bodies without protective clothing and that they must to seek services of guides.

Umzingwane District Development Coordinator, Peter Mahlathini, who is also the Department of Civil Protection district committee chairperson said he will visit the incident scene, adding that they will enlist the help of mining companies if the sub aqua team fails to retrieve Ncube’s body.