Father, wife and baby drown as canoe overturns while crossing flooded river

A tragic incident occurred this week in Gokwe, where a family was swept away after the canoe they were using to cross a flooded river capsized. Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident, which resulted in the loss of a woman and a toddler’s lives on Sunday.

The woman’s husband is currently missing, and authorities are conducting a search for him. Inspector Mahoko stated, “ZRP is investigating a case of sudden death by drowning, involving a family of three who were swept away in Sanyati River in Gokwe.”

The incident took place on January 21, around 7 pm, when Simbarashe Kanyonde (27) from Mukukani village under Chief Chireya, his wife Lucia Dzimba (23), and their seven-day-old baby girl were en route to Chidamoyo Hospital to seek medical treatment for their ill infant.

Upon reaching Sanyati River, they boarded a canoe with the intention of crossing to the other side. Unfortunately, the canoe capsized in the middle of the river, leading to the family being swept away by the strong currents. Dzimba, who had her baby securely strapped to her back, was discovered by villagers floating approximately 700 meters downstream.

Regrettably, Kanyonde remains missing, and efforts to locate him are ongoing. The bodies of Dzimba and her baby have been transported to Gokwe North District Hospital mortuary.