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Bulawayo man drowns while crossing flooded Umguza River

A 30-year-old man, Richard Sibanda of Killarney squatter camp in Bulawayo, drowned while attempting to cross the flooded Umguza River Bridge on Sunday, police have confirmed.

Bulawayo Acting Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, reported that Sibanda was accompanied by four other men at the time of the tragic incident.

โ€œOn January 19, 2025, at around 9 pm, Sibanda and five other men were crossing the Umguza River Bridge, travelling from Cement Side Compound to their residences. The water was flowing over the bridge at about knee level. Sibanda, at the front of the group, was swept off the bridge and carried into the river,โ€ she said.

Assistant Inspector Msebele added that the four others did not attempt to cross the bridge after witnessing Sibanda being swept away.

โ€œThey alerted other residents, who joined the search for the deceased. After an exhaustive search, Sibandaโ€™s body was found hanging from a tree in the middle of the river,โ€ she said.

A police report was subsequently made, and the body was transported to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for a post-mortem.

Assistant Inspector Msebele urged the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to seek alternative routes or wait for water levels to subside to prevent such tragedies.

Senzeni Ncube

Senzeni Ncube is an accomplished journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with seven years of experience in hard news, investigative writing, fact-checking, and a keen focus on social development, mining, elections, and climate change. She has extensive expertise in reporting community service delivery issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of politics, human rights, gender equality, corruption, and healthcare. Additionally, she possesses proficiency in video production and editing and is dedicated to providing high-quality journalism that highlights crucial social matters and amplifies the voices of the community. Senzeni is known for her thought-provoking interviewing skills.

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