News / Regional
Border jumpers swept away by flooded river
08 Jan 2013 at 05:38hrs | Views
THREE people were swept away by a flooded river in Mphoengs, Mangwe District last Wednesday while trying to cross the border into Botswana illegally.
The victims, whose bodies have yet to be recovered, were identified as Pocenta Ndlovu, 18-month-old Rachel Ndlovu and a woman only named as Edith.
Police say the three were dropped off by a suspected human trafficker driving a South African-registered car, who asked another suspect to help them negotiate the Ramaokgwebane River into Botswana while he waited the other side.
Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said rescue operations were still afoot, adding though that they don't expect to find the three alive.
"Knowledge Ndlovu of Madlambudzi area in Bulilima District, who was driving a Quantum omnibus to South Africa with 15 passengers, dropped off the three and hired Khulayo Sibanda to assist them cross into Botswana," Ngwenya said.
"At about 8pm, Ndlovu received a call from Sibanda telling him that Pocenta, Edith and Rachel had been swept by the Ramaokgwebane River."
Ngwenya said police were investigating the matter.
"The police conducted a deep water search for the trio, but they were never found. Investigations are still in progress.
"We advise the public to get proper documents to cross the border legally rather than resorting to using dangerous ways to go outside the country," he added.
Meanwhile, witnesses travelling to South Africa on Saturday reported sighting three people being swept away by the crocodile-infested Limpompo River.
It remains unclear if there could be a connection between the two incidents.
Many Zimbabweans escaping poverty back home frequently cross into Botswana and South Africa illegally, putting their lives at all kinds of risks.
The victims, whose bodies have yet to be recovered, were identified as Pocenta Ndlovu, 18-month-old Rachel Ndlovu and a woman only named as Edith.
Police say the three were dropped off by a suspected human trafficker driving a South African-registered car, who asked another suspect to help them negotiate the Ramaokgwebane River into Botswana while he waited the other side.
Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said rescue operations were still afoot, adding though that they don't expect to find the three alive.
"Knowledge Ndlovu of Madlambudzi area in Bulilima District, who was driving a Quantum omnibus to South Africa with 15 passengers, dropped off the three and hired Khulayo Sibanda to assist them cross into Botswana," Ngwenya said.
"At about 8pm, Ndlovu received a call from Sibanda telling him that Pocenta, Edith and Rachel had been swept by the Ramaokgwebane River."
Ngwenya said police were investigating the matter.
"The police conducted a deep water search for the trio, but they were never found. Investigations are still in progress.
"We advise the public to get proper documents to cross the border legally rather than resorting to using dangerous ways to go outside the country," he added.
Meanwhile, witnesses travelling to South Africa on Saturday reported sighting three people being swept away by the crocodile-infested Limpompo River.
It remains unclear if there could be a connection between the two incidents.
Many Zimbabweans escaping poverty back home frequently cross into Botswana and South Africa illegally, putting their lives at all kinds of risks.
Source - news
