BY STAFF REPORTER

The body of an 18-year-old boy who drowned in a dam at a Chinese-run Python Mine in Binga was retrieved on Thursday afternoon, four days after he went missing.

The body was in a decomposing state, making it difficult to determine the cause of death.

“The police, together with villagers, finally managed to retrieve his body around 3 to 4 pm. He was trapped in the mud at Python mine dam and was already in a decomposing state,” said Kamativi ward 11 councillor Joshua Tshuma.

Villagers and police officers from Binga worked together to retrieve the body, which was a challenging task due to the muddy waters.

“There are so many theories surrounding his death, others say he was running away from an elephant encounter during the herding of the cattle, but we do not know what might have happened,” Tshuma added.

In a separate incident, a toddler from Tinde village in Binga died on Tuesday after being crushed by a scotchcart. The child was buried yesterday.

“He was in the company of his other family members who are also young. They had been sent to collect mealie-meal, and we suspect that the cart might have been speeding and hit a wooded stomp that caused the accident, but he was fatally injured on his head and died instantly,” Tshuma said.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A sense of despair has gripped the community of Kamativi in Binga as a 20-year-old boy remains missing after drowning in a local Chinese mine dam three days ago.

The incident has left villagers and authorities searching for answers.

According to Joshua Tshuma, councilor for Kamativi ward 11, the boy from Chilonga, Malaliya village, disappeared while in the company of a friend.

“It happened three days ago, but I was out in Hwange,” Tshuma said in an interview.

“I haven’t gone there, but I had a discussion with the police, and they told me that they have been searching since Tuesday, together with the villagers, and they still can’t locate his body.”

The dam, dug by Chinese miners for copper extraction, is believed to be the site where the boy met his fate.

“We suspect that he might have tripped and is stuck in the mud ground,” Tshuma added.

The police are still waiting for the sub-aqua department from Bulawayo to arrive and assist in the search.

“I will give an update as soon as they arrive,” Tshuma promised.

In a separate incident, a toddler was killed by a scotcart on Tuesday in Binga, leaving the community reeling from the double tragedy.

As the search for the missing boy continues, the community remains in a state of shock and grief, seeking answers and closure.

BY BAYANDA NKATHA

Lupane- The graves of 34 liberation war heroes and heroines at the Matabeleland North Provincial Heroes Acre are in a state of disrepair, with errors and neglect marring the final resting place of those who fought for Zimbabwe’s freedom.

Families of the heroes and heroines are outraged by the mistakes on the graves, including incorrect dates of birth and lack of tombstones.

“They made a mistake on the date of birth; may that be corrected. When are they going to put the tombstone? It’s been three years now since they promised,” said one family member on Monday during the 44th Heroes Day commemorations at Somhlolo Stadium.

Another family expressed worry about the lack of respect for the graveyard, with herdboys herding cattle in the cemetery.

“We wish they could quickly put tombstones here and also protect the place by fencing,” they said.

Provincial minister, Richard Moyo responded that the government is working to upgrade all cemeteries through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.

However, the families’ concerns highlight the need for urgent action to correct the errors and neglect.

President Mnangagwa’s speech on Heroes Day emphasized the importance of remembering the liberation heroes and protecting the nation’s independence and interests.

However, the errors and neglect on the graves suggest a disconnect between the government’s words and actions.

The families’ demands for respect and proper maintenance of the graves are a reminder that the liberation war heroes and heroines deserve better.

“It is time for the government to take action and correct the errors and neglect that have been allowed to persist for too long.”