Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande and Hazel Chitepo
A SERIES of devastating incidents marred the festive holiday spirit, leaving a trail of death and destruction as several families in Manicaland lost loved ones to tragic incidents, including crocodile attacks, drowning, and murder.
Numerous others were left homeless after widespread destruction of homes by heavy rains and strong winds.
In a spin-chilling incident, human remains of a 24-year-old man had to be retrieved from a crocodile’s stomach for burial, while two boys herding cattle lost their lives in drowning incidents along Save River in Buhera.
Tragically, a one-month-old infant was also senselessly murdered following a misunderstanding pitting her parents in Makoni.
Furthermore, a number of families were left homeless after their homesteads were razed down by heavy rains and strong winds in Chipinge, Chimanimani, and Makoni, making the just-ended festive season not so festive.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the tragic incidents.
He said the crocodiles were subsequently shot and skinned, leading to the retrieval of human body parts from one of the reptile’s belly in Mahenye Village, Chipinge South Constituency.
Unfortunately, the other body parts of the deceased were not recovered.
“On December 17, the deceased – Benjamin Sithole – was fishing along Save River with his brother, Takunda Sithole. The two brothers were about three metres apart when the deceased was suddenly attacked and dragged underwater by two crocodiles.
“Takunda, unable to rescue his brother due to shock, rushed to report the incident to the police at ZRP Mahenye Base. Gonarezhou National Park rangers were notified, and their official, Mr Kingston Bwende responded to the scene.
“The two crocodiles were subsequently shot and skinned, and human intestines, a leg and arm were retrieved from one of the crocodiles. Unfortunately, the remaining parts of the deceased were not recovered. The recovered remains were taken to Chingere Village for burial,” he said.
In a senseless act of violence that also marred the festive spirit in Rusape, a month-old baby’s life was brutally cut short on Christmas Day.
The horrific incident occurred at Gwidza Business Centre where the deceased’s parents were celebrating Christmas.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the baby’s father, Obert Mandiyamba (25), allegedly assaulted his 15-year-old wife, Ruwarashe Ngorima, following a heated argument.
Mandiyamba’s third blow missed Ngorima, and struck the infant, Praise Mandiyamba, who was strapped on her back.
Ngorima sought refuge at Mrs Cynthia Chibika’s homestead, where she discovered that the baby was weak, and had blood oozing from her mouth.
The baby was rushed to Rugoyi Clinic, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Mandiyamba had married his underage wife in March 2023.
Police have launched a manhunt for the fugitive Mandiyamba.
In the Buhera drowning incident, Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Nathan Mutero (seven), Stanley Majoni (11) and Kinnah Mutero (11), Tawana Kunonga (11) and Prince Sithole (10), of Mutero Village under Chief Nyashanu, in Buhera were swimming while herding cattle when tragedy struck.
“Nathan Mutero and Stanley Majoni drowned, and Kinnah Mutero rushed home where he reported the matter to Stanley’s father, Mr Norman Majoni, who rushed to the scene in the company of Mr Enock Majoni. The two retrieved the bodies of the deceased persons. Mr Majoni reported the matter at ZRP Muzokomba/Mutiusinazita Base, who attended the scene. The bodies of the deceased were inspected by the police and no visible marks noted. No foul play is suspected,” he said.
Heavy rains received in most parts of Manicaland destroyed a number of buildings, mainly homesteads, schools and other public entities, leaving their owners in dire need of repair.
Acting Chimanimani District Development Coordinator, Mr Elisha Mushayavanhu confirmed that the heavy rains and strong winds left a trail of destruction in some parts of the district.
“The district was left counting losses after December 23, 2024 when we received heavy rains accompanied with strong winds, which left a trail of destruction, including several houses in Ward 12, the Charleswood area.
“Matendeudze Primary School teachers’ house, computer room and ECD block’s roofs were blown off, while at Nhedziwa High School, two classroom block had their roofs blown off,” he said.
Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava said some homestead, schools and a clinic had their roofs blown off.
“Affected areas include Madhuku Primary School and Madhuku Clinic which had their roofs blown off and fencing destroyed by the strong winds. At Gumira Primary School, classrooms were destroyed,” said Mr Mashava, adding that TM Supermarket in Chipinge was also affected by the heavy rains received in the area.
He was quick to point out on the need to improve drainage systems to avert what is now perceived as an annual phenomenon.
Mr Mashava bemoaned ignorance often exuded by people in disaster prone areas when warning them to take precautionary measures.
“The District Civil Protection Committee regularly advises the people through traditional leaders (chiefs, headmen and village heads), councillors, community leaders, WhatsApp groups, and community radios, but it is sad that people rarely take heed. Oftentimes, they are attacked by crocodiles along Save River, or swept away by water in Dakate and Tanganda rivers as well as many other streams. It is sheer ignorance, but we will continue to spread the message and do simulation exercises.
“On TM Supermarket, yes it was affected by the rains, but this has become a norm each time we receive heavy rains. This has more to do with the drainage systems that need to be worked on to ensure that the problem is solved once and for all,” he said.
Manicaland Provincial Civil Protection Unit chairman, Mr John Misi said Government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that rescue operations are instantly activated in the event of rains-related disaster.
“Evacuation plans are in place. We remain alive to that and communities are alert. All our districts have standby teams. Therefore, Government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that rescue operations are instantly activated in the event of rains related disaster,” he said.
