Prophet drowns after baptising congregants

THE body of a self-styled Zvishavane prophet who drowned after baptising some of his church members in the Shave River last Sunday was retrieved by the police's sub aqua unit after a two-day search.

Zenzo Moyo (24) of the Israel Mpanga Apostolic sect was said to have drowned mysteriously as he walked out of the river after baptising his flock close to Dadaya High School.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the case and warned people against dicing with death by venturing into deep waters.drowning

"We are yet to compile a detailed report over the death occurrence, but his (Moyo's) body was found by the Fairbridge Sub Aqua Unit and was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital," said Goko.

"The rainy season is coming and I urge members of the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers to avoid deaths caused by drowning."

A fellow congregant who witnessed the drowning, Tanatswa Zhou, said Moyo appeared to have suddenly been pulled under water as he walked out of the river after the baptism.

"I think he was pulled by a mermaid because the force was too much," Zhou said.

"Church members jumped into the water to try and save him, but he was nowhere to be found."

The sub aqua unit spent two days searching for Moyo's body and only managed to retrieve it late on Tuesday afternoon with his legs stuck in the mud.

A Mandava High schoolgirl drowned at the same spot in the river while bathing three years ago, leading some to conclude that there were mermaids in the river.