Tourist disappears in Victoria Falls Rainforest

A Bulawayo man went missing while touring the Rainforest in Victoria Falls on Sunday. Mr Tinashe Chitambo, whose personal details could not be readily established yesterday, reportedly went missing while on a tour of the forest with his sister, Mitchell Chitambo.

In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager, Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo confirmed Mr Chitambo's disappearance.

"The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority can confirm that on 25 March 2012, Tinashe Chitambo, together with his sister Mitchell Chitambo entered the Rainforest as day visitors at around 10am.

After the tour at about 12noon, the two had lunch at the Shearwater Restaurant and then after lunch Mr Chitambo decided to have another tour of the Falls leaving his sister behind," said Ms Washaya-Moyo.

She said Mr Chitambo was last seen by a tourist while in the forest, who then alerted rangers.

"Afterwards a client came to the entrance gate and reported to the security ranger that he had seen a man loitering around the falls.

"A search team was sent to the area to look for the man and the search did not yield any results as Mr Chitambo was nowhere to be seen," she said.

Ms Washaya-Moyo said her department and the police were jointly searching for Mr Chitambo.

"The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is working with the police. The police have started investigations as they sent a search team to look for Mr Chitambo and investigations are continuing," she said.