Eight-year-old boy drowns in dam

AN eight-year-old boy from Shake area in Gwanda District drowned while playing with his friends at a dam. 
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident that occurred last Sunday. 
He identified the boy as Qiniso Ndlovu from Chief Masuku area and said the incident happened around 1pm when the boys were playing on the edge of the dam.
"On December 8 this year, Qiniso drowned at Sehuda Dam while playing in the company of his friends, Mayibongwe Ndlovu and Trymore Sibanda, both aged 11.
The three boys were playing in the shallow waters of the dam when Qiniso suddenly drifted into the deeper end and eventually drowned," said Insp Ndebele.
When his friends realised that Qiniso had drowned, they quickly alerted elders as none of them could swim.
However, by the time help arrived, Qiniso had already drowned and his body could not be traced.
"When other villagers arrived at the scene, they tried to search for the boy but could not locate his body. A report was ultimately made to the police," said Insp Ndebele.
The sub aqua unit retrieved the body on Monday.
Insp Ndebele called on parents to keep an eye on their children and not to allow them to play close to rivers and dams.
He said during this time of the year - the rainy season - cases of drowning were usually on the increase as people attempted to cross flooded rivers.
"We also advise members of the  public not to cross flooded rivers and dams to avoid unnecessary loss of lives," said Insp Ndebele.