News / National
4 smugglers marooned at the Limpopo rive
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The Beitbridge Civil Protection Unit (CPU) successfully rescued four suspected smugglers who had been stranded for over 10 hours on an island in the Limpopo River after a sudden rise in water levels. The group of 11 individuals, returning from South Africa, found themselves trapped on the island after the river swelled late on Wednesday night, following significant rainfall in Beitbridge.
According to Mrs. Sikhangezile Mafu Moyo, chairperson of the Beitbridge Civil Protection Unit, four members of the group managed to swim to safety that same night. "Four people managed to escape from the island that same night, while we successfully rescued four others with the help of a boat provided by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority," she said. The rescue operation, led by the police, involved a search-and-rescue subcommittee, which was able to bring the trapped individuals to safety.
By midday the following day, three people were still stranded on the island, and authorities were concerned that there could be additional individuals trapped at the same location. As the situation unfolded, our news crew arrived at the scene where a relative had come to deliver food to the remaining three individuals. Due to the strong currents, the food had to be thrown across the river, tied to stones, to ensure it reached the stranded people.
Mr. Itayi Tavarwisa, a relative of one of the trapped individuals, explained how he came to the rescue: "I heard about the incident when I came to collect some clients at a nearby food outlet. Someone who recognised my relative told me about it, so I decided to bring food for him and came here to see if I could assist." He also mentioned that his relative, along with the others, was waiting for the water current to subside before attempting to cross the river back into Zimbabwe.
This incident follows a similar occurrence a few years ago when two cousins became stranded at the same spot after the river swelled while they were attempting to cross into South Africa. They were later rescued by the Civil Protection Unit after enduring more than 20 hours in the bush.
The CPU has urged people to exercise caution when crossing rivers, especially during the rainy season, and has warned that swelling rivers could pose significant risks to those attempting to cross illegally.
According to Mrs. Sikhangezile Mafu Moyo, chairperson of the Beitbridge Civil Protection Unit, four members of the group managed to swim to safety that same night. "Four people managed to escape from the island that same night, while we successfully rescued four others with the help of a boat provided by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority," she said. The rescue operation, led by the police, involved a search-and-rescue subcommittee, which was able to bring the trapped individuals to safety.
By midday the following day, three people were still stranded on the island, and authorities were concerned that there could be additional individuals trapped at the same location. As the situation unfolded, our news crew arrived at the scene where a relative had come to deliver food to the remaining three individuals. Due to the strong currents, the food had to be thrown across the river, tied to stones, to ensure it reached the stranded people.
This incident follows a similar occurrence a few years ago when two cousins became stranded at the same spot after the river swelled while they were attempting to cross into South Africa. They were later rescued by the Civil Protection Unit after enduring more than 20 hours in the bush.
The CPU has urged people to exercise caution when crossing rivers, especially during the rainy season, and has warned that swelling rivers could pose significant risks to those attempting to cross illegally.
Source - the chronicle
