A 14-year-old boy from Mapate Village 2 in Ward 16, Gwanda District, spent several hours clinging to a tree after being trapped in the flooded Thuli River, while his mother is feared missing.
The incident occurred after the river flooded while the boy was with his mother and three siblings .
The mother reportedly disappeared after she was swept away by the strong currents.
Speaking to CITE, a local villager, Emmanuel Moyo, said the family had gone to the river to do gold panning.
“They left home yesterday (Tuesday), that is the mother and her four children between the ages of 14 to 16 years there ( two are hers, while the other two are her grandchildren). They usually do gold panning in this river, ‘kulesihlenge’ where they get gold. They slept there,” he said.
The villager explained that trouble arose in the morning when the river levels suddenly increased.
“When they woke up, they noticed the water in the river had risen. They decided to cross back home but that is when they encountered problems,” he said.
Moyo said the group attempted to cross the river while holding hands, but the strong currents separated them.
“The boy who is now on top of the tree was swept far away. The other three managed to cross safely, but the mother is missing,” he said.
Moyo said the incident happened close to Manama, along Thuli river, approximately 2 km across the bridge.
“We are trying to search for the mother, but it is still raining and the river is flooded. We are appealing for a helicopter to rescue the boy. We are urging him not to sleep. From a distance, he appears to still be seated on the tree,” said Moyo.
Matabeleland South Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, confirmed the incident where people were marooned highlighting there were two cases in ward 15 and 16.
She said the Sub Aqua Unit has been alerted and urged members of the public not to attempt crossing flooded rivers.
*Developing Story*