3 Zimbabwean killed by river sand in South Africa

Three brothers from Gokwe died in South Africa when a truck they were loading with river sand overturned and buried them under a mound of sand. The three brothers have been identified as Sifelani (19), Kudakwashe (21) and Tapiwa Mahohoma (23).

According to the local media, the incident occurred on Monday last week shortly after 4pm at Zamenkomste area in Kutama near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo Province. South African police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Moepe said the three brothers were hired by their employer to load sand from Muegedzi River into his truck when tragedy struck.

"The three men, who are brothers, were busy loading sand into the truck and we suspect due to the load, the truck lost traction. It overturned and in the process the three men were trapped in sand and they died on the spot. We have since opened an inquest docket and we are continuing with our investigations," said Lt-Col Moepe.

Lt-Col Moepe said the bodies have since been repatriated back home for burial.