A well-known local farmer, Mr Thomas Rantete, drowned in the Muengedzi River at Zamenkomste last Tuesday. He was busy crossing the river to fetch some of his cows that were feeding on the other side of the river.

Although police divers search the area where Mr Rantete was overwhelmed by the water, his body was found by a member of the community on the river bank on Thursday.

According to a police report, it is suspected that Mr Rantete and two friends were looking for his cows, when he apparently ventured into the deeper portion of the river. When his friends realised he was in trouble, they tried to save him. The water was too deep and murky. As they could not find him, they reported the incident to the community and to the police.

A community leader in the area and the chairperson of Sanco, Mr James Delekisa, expressed his condolences to the family and warned children not to play next to water. He called upon parents to watch out as all the rivers and dams are full to capacity after the heavy rain.

The spokesperson of  the Tshilwavhusiku SAPS, Const Munyadziwa Maridi, said the police were investigating the drowning incident. She also warned the public to be aware of the dangers of the overflowing rivers and dams in the area.

Mr Philip Rantete, a younger brother of the deceased, thanked the members of the community, who had spent long hours searching for the body. “It is very painful to lose such a dedicated and hardworking brother and friend.”

Rantete will be buried at the Zamenkomste cemetery tomorrow (Saturday). The service will start at 06:00.