THREE juveniles’ bodies were found floating in a river two days after they were reported missing, while a female adult drowned in a well in the Midlands Province on two separate incidents that happened on the same day, police confirmed.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko told the Sunday News that the three children drowned in Mhlonga River in Somabhula while they were swimming.
The female adult who is believed to have been epileptic fell headlong into a well and drowned while fetching water.
“Three juveniles aged 8, 12 and 13 of Plot number 40 Fallow Field in Somabhula drowned while swimming in Mhlonga River. Their clothes were discovered on the river bank but their bodies could not be located and the matter was reported to the police.
“The bodies were later discovered by a search team in the river some distance from where their clothes were found two days after a report of missing persons report was filed with the police. They were retrieved by the villagers,” said Insp Mahoko.
In the case of the female adult, he said it occurred in Silobela where a female adult reported to have been suffering from epilepsy fell into a well while trying to fetch water and drowned.
“It is alleged that Mavis Ndhlovu, a female adult aged 23 of Vala Village under Chief Malisa in Silobela who was an epileptic patient fell into a well while fetching water and drowned. The incident was discovered by a passer-by who then made a report to the police and the body was retrieved,” said Insp Mahoko.
Inspector Mahoko advised members of the public to desist from leaving children and the vulnerable unattended especially when they are close to water bodies. – Sunday News
