Staff Reporter

GOKWE – A  moment of prayer for members of an Apostolic sect turned into a devastating tragedy in the early hours of 14 February 2025, when four children aged between 9 months and 4 years who were sleeping in the river under a bridge with their parents drowned after flash floods swept through the area.

The incident occurred near Tare Bridge along the Gokwe-Siabuwa road, leaving the community in shock and grief.

The children all from Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South, two from Village Kamba—Beauty Muvhiringani, 9 months, and Devine Muvhiringani, 4 years—along with Pamela Natare, 1 year 9 months, from Village Tsive, and Effort Shava, 3, from Village Mudzimiri, were caught in the floods.

Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed the incident.

“At around 0330 hours, a group of about 20 congregants sought shelter under the bridge after light rains started falling during their overnight prayers. As the rain continued upstream, the congregation, exhausted from their prayers, fell asleep under the bridge, unaware of the impending danger,” he said.

When the floods suddenly swept through the area, they were jolted awake and attempted to rescue themselves and the children. Tragically, they were unable to save the four children.

“The children were swept away by the floods, and though the congregation tried to save them, they were unsuccessful,” said Inspector Mahoko.

The bodies of the deceased children were later found at various points along the riverbank, with distances ranging from 1 kilometer to about 20 kilometers from the bridge. A search is still underway for the body of the 1-year-9-month-old infant, Pamela Natare.

“The bodies of the retrieved children were taken to Gokwe South District Hospital Mortuary. Investigations into the tragedy are ongoing,” Mahoko added.