Police in Thohoyandou have launched a massive search for the body of a fisherman who is suspected to have drowned while checking on his nets.

The man, who has been identified as Anderson Muvuru from Mogesta Djakarta in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, is alleged to have ventured into the water in the early hours of Saturday. The 27-year-old man´s suspected drowning adds to the ever increasing list of people who have lost their lives in the dam. According to reports, Muvuri is the 29th victim of the dam.

During Mirror’s visit to the scene, scores of Zimbabweans were seen going up and down the banks, trying to spot the body, which should have surfaced by now. For some it was business as usual, as they were seen carrying their pedal boats to the water.

Muvuru’s neighbour and friend, Jonathan Chinamatera, said his disappearance was still a mystery to them. “He used to fish with others and never ventured into the water alone. No one will ever be able to explain as to what could have happened. What we know is that he told us that he was going fishing and we have not seen him since Saturday,” he said.

Chinamatera said Muvuru was a very hardworking family man who was trying to better the standard of life for himself and his family. “He is a soldier who died in the line of duty. Rather than starving to death back home, he chose to die while fending for his family."

The latest drowning has highlighted the need for security around the dam. Mr Solomon Baloyi of the Complaints Resolution Committee said it was sad to see people still losing their lives while fishing. “We have voiced our concerns on several occasions, but the issue is taking a long time. How many more people should drown before we act?” he asked.

He said he and the committee had proposed that the dam be fenced off where people with hooks only would be allowed to fish. This dam should have controlled entry points with security personnel to man the points. This will make it easy for net fishermen to be detected. Those found to be transgressing will be prosecuted and this will deter illegal anglers and will lead to no more drowning,” he said.

Baloyi said he had been hopeful that after Minister Sonjica’s visit earlier last month things seemed to be taking shape and a solution might be found for security at the dam. “Only last week we were discussing this issue and we are going to raise it when we meet the department´s task team soon. We will give this issue priority, so that no more people lose their lives through drowning in this dam ,”he said.

Three months ago, Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi launched a boat to be used for patrolling the dam, but this does not seem to have put a stop to net fishing. This is the cause of many drownings as fishermen venture into the water at odd hours, with some even venturing into the water after imbibing liquor. A month ago, well-known traditional leader Vho Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli echoed the same call, saying fishing should be regulated as he was worried about the drownings at the dam. He said at the time that licensing should be done through traditional leaders who know their subjects and could stop them from venturing into the water under the influence of liquor or impose fines on those who transgress the law.

Limpopo police spokesperson in Vhembe Capt Mashudu Malelo confirmed the incident, saying that immediately when they received the report, they dispatched divers to search for the body. He said they had not made much progress, as they did not know exactly where the man had drowned.