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.