By Delight Dokotera
A 69-year-old fisherman died in a suspected case of drowning at Frog Mall Dam near Mvurwi on Friday.
Gracious Manyika and his companion, Musa Balaka (53) were casting fishing nets while on a makeshift raft made from a tyre tube.
When it started raining at around 6pm, Balaka said he decided to go home and left behind Manyika fishing.
Manyika did not return home throughout the night, which prompted Balaka to search for him the following morning.
When Balaka arrived at the dam, the first thing he noticed was Manyika’s tyre tube makeshift raft and hat floating on the dam.
Balaka immediately alerted Manyika’s son, Milton (32), who reported the matter to Mvurwi Police.
Moments later, a fellow fisherman Alexio Nyamhunga from Forester L farm, discovered Manyika’s body floating on the edges of the dam.
Nyamhunga managed to retrieve Manyika’s body and it was immediately ferried to Mvurwi Hospital for a post-mortem.
Mashonaland Central ZRP spokesperson, Sgt Major Samuel Chikasha, discouraged illegal fishing and the use of improvised tools.
“We strongly discourage illegal fishing activities and the use of makeshift tools. This incident is a reflection of poorly equipped fishermen who were risking their lives,” he said.
