Family fails to report drowning expecting girl back as mermaid

A family in Chimanimani delayed reporting the drowning of their 16-year-old daughter after believing she would return spiritually empowered as a mermaid, police have confirmed.

The late Eunice Moyo of Muchakagara Village under Chief Mutambara drowned in the Umvumvumvu River while swimming with two friends on New Year's Day. Manicaland acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the girl's mother, Ms Siletiwe Moyo (42), chose not to report the incident immediately due to her beliefs.

"The mother did not report the matter to the police as she believed her daughter had been taken by mermaids and would come back with supernatural powers associated with the underworld," said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

Police said Eunice had gone to the river at around 1pm to do laundry with two friends. The trio later began swimming, during which Eunice disappeared in deep water. Her friends reported the incident to her mother, who rushed to the scene and joined in searching efforts.

After failing to locate her daughter, the mother reportedly concluded that Eunice had been taken by a mermaid and returned home to wait for her expected return.

The matter only came to light the following day, January 2, when a villager, Ms Sophia Mugabaza (43) of Makonde Village, spotted a body floating in the river while returning from church at around 4pm. She alerted other villagers, who then reported the matter to Cashel Valley Police Station.

Eunice's body was later taken to Mutambara Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children's movements and discourage them from swimming in rivers, particularly during the rainy season when water levels are high and currents are strong.

"Parents and guardians should ensure children do not play near or in water bodies, especially during this period when rivers are flooded and dangerous," he said.