Body parts retrieved: 3 still missing in Chiredzi
Body parts of one of the 4 victims swept away by Mutirikwi River on 7 January have been retrieved. These remains belong to Tryphine Gambinya. The remains are only some human body parts that include parts of thighs and ribs.
On Thursday due to prolonged and heavy rainfall Mutirikwi River flooded. The missing ladies were trying to cross the river when the powerful waters overpowered them and swept them away. After continuous efforts to recover the missing, the Civil Protection Unit found parts belonging to the 14 year old Tryphine Gambinya.
Tryphine’s relatives took possession of her remains and interring was done at her parents’ home in Village 8, Chiredzi North.
Civil Protection Unit chairperson and district development coordinator Mr Lovemore Chisema confirms the the found body parts but nothing else has been detected. The search team has covered an area of about 7km along Mutirikwi River. The river has many crocodiles. This has led to many doubting that the body parts will be recovered.
In a statement, Mr Chisema addresses the issue saying,
“We are carrying out an intensive search for the missing four persons who were swept away in Mutirikwi River. Only those belonging to Tryphine Gambinya have been found. The search team comprises of the police and the villagers.”
Body parts retrieved: 3 still missing in Chiredzi
“The search operation has been going on since Friday and all detailed updates we are informing the CPU.
We will still continue to undertake some isolated searches for the missing persons, but we suspect that their remains might have been consumed by crocodiles because the river is heavily manifested with the reptiles.”
River braiding is also hindering the progress of the search team. The Police and the CPU thanks local villagers for their efforts and Tongaat Hullets Zimbabwe for lending a hand.
Still missing personnel include Kundai Chikwava (18), Shantell Hungwe (11 months old) and Tamuka Gambinya (7).