Two blind men drown while swimming in a river

Two visually impaired men drowned while swimming in Nyashanga River, Buhera, after they inadvertently ven­tured into the deep end on New Year's Eve.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri said Coster Mandiyambira (21) and Obert Ndlovu (20) were bathing in the river alongside their guide, Donald Mpofu, when tragedy struck.

"At around 1300 hours on Decem­ber 31, the two were accompanied by Donald, their nephew, to take a bath in Nyashanga River," he said.

"As they were bathing, Mandiyam­bira and Ndlovu heard noises from children who were swimming at a nearby lagoon and decided to join them."

Insp Chishiri said the two refused to be restrained by Donald.

"They swam to the deep end. Since they could not see, Donald tried to alert them, but to no avail.
"The two drowned. Donald ran for about one kilometre and a half back home to alert other villagers who rushed to the scene and retrieved the bodies."

The police spokesperson urged care-givers to always monitor the dis­abled, especially near dangerous places.

Last November, more than 10 peo­ple in Masvingo drowned while trying to cross flooded rivers.