Two Early Childhood Development (ECD) pupils from Tafadzwa ECD Satellite School in Chipinge were swept away by strong water currents while attempting to cross the flooded Umvumvumvu River on their way home from school.

John Misi, Acting Director of Local Government Services, confirmed the tragedy to ZBC News. However, the news report did not specify the exact date of the incident. Said Misi:

Manicaland Province continues to receive a lot of rains especially in Chipinge district where we have received a lot of rains compared to other districts.

We have lost two ECD learners from Tafadzwa ECD Satellite School for Matendeudze Primary School. The learners were swept away on their way from school.

This points to a scenario where learners attempted to cross the Umvumvumvu River on their way from school.

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Parents or caretakers should pick up their children from school and continue to discourage them from playing around water bodies as children are fascinated by water.

Misi also revealed that several houses in the Chibuwe area of Chipinge District have been destroyed as heavy rains continue to batter Manicaland Province. He said:

On another note, seven houses were damaged in Chibuwe Ward 20 due to the incessant rains. Roofs were blown away and the district civil protection committee is assessing the extent of the damage. Chibuwe is prone to flash floods.

We have also experienced some rock falls in Chimanimani along Skyline and we would want to encourage and warn motorists to be careful when navigating roads in Chimanimani and Nyanga as these areas are common to rock falls this time of the season.