Father, daughter swept away by flooded river

Zim Now Writer

A man from Sanyati and his eight-year-old daughter died on Saturday after being swept away by a flooded river as rains continue pounding the country.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, which happened on December 31, 2023.

“We have a sad incident which happened in Sanyati yesterday where two juveniles were sent by their parents to go and fetch firewood. Later, the juveniles decided to rest while putting their legs in a water stream and the soil gave in leading to the eight-year-old being swept away.

“The 12-year-old went on to call her father and when he came and tried to rescue the child but unfortunately, he was also swept away. As the police, we implore parents to take good care of their children.”

Several other incidents of drowning have been reported across the country as people tried to cross flooded rivers despite warnings against the practice.

Pieces of infrastructure have also fallen victim and were destroyed by the incessant rains.

Over 70 people, The department of Civil Protection says, have died as a result of rain-related disasters since the onset of the rains in October last year.