Police couple, infant daughter drown in failed attempt to cross flooded river
Five-year-old miraculously survives the tragedy
By Staff Reporter
An attempt to cross a flooded river on Sunday ended in death for a police couple who drowned together with their four-month-old daughter when a Ford Ranger they were travelling in got swept away in the process.
Two other passengers aged 19 and 5 miraculously survived the Kana River tragedy by swimming to safety.
The incident, according to police, happened December 17 across the road between Gomoza in Lupane and Kambe in Manoti, Gokwe.
Police identified the deceased couple as Moses Manyongodo, a 35-year-old police constable based at ZRP Lupane Traffic, wife detective constable Ireen Muzamba (30) and their daughter Hellen Manyongodo.
Manyongodo was driving towards Kambe Business Centre in Manoti when he found the Kana River flooded.
“He drove the vehicle into the flooded river in an attempt to cross,” police said.
“After getting to the middle of the bridge, the vehicle was swept away by the current for about 45 meters before it got submerged in the water.
“The three victims drowned whilst still in the vehicle. Their bodies were ferried to Gokwe South District Hospital mortuary,” police said.
Manyongodo was off duty on the day and his wife was on maternity leave.
