A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer is feared dead after being dragged into the deep waters of the Munyati River by a crocodile on December 30, 2024.
Sergeant Invin’ca Gamunya, 34, was helping three women cross the flooded river when he was attacked by the crocodile.
He had successfully helped the women to the other side and was swimming back when the incident occurred.
The incident happened in the Saltana Ranch area near Kwekwe. Gamunya was deployed at the Kavinga military base and was attached to the 53 Infantry Battalion in Battlefields.
A search operation involving police divers, the army, and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is ongoing, but Gamunya’s body has not yet been recovered.
According to a memo from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) seen by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/soldier-missing-after-crocodile-attack-in-flooded-kwekwe-river/">ZimLive</a>, the women initially asked another officer, Sergeant Innocent Chikuturudzi, for help, but he declined.
Gamunya, who overheard the conversation, offered to assist the women without seeking approval from his superiors.
When Chikuturudzi realised Gamunya was gone, he sent Private Emmanuel Usaiwevhu to summon him back to base, but it was too late. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
When Usaiwevhu got to the river, he saw Gamunya on the other side of the river with the women already gone. He signalled him to return to the base.
Gamunya got into the river intending to cross and when he was about seven meters in the water he screamed for help.
Usaiwevhu quickly noticed that he was being whisked away into the deep waters by a crocodile. He tried to assist by throwing stones in a bid to scare away the reptile but all was in vain.
</blockquote>
Usaiwevhu reported to the police that the crocodile dragged Gamunya for approximately 50 meters before submerging.
Police divers have been searching the river for both Gamunya’s body and the crocodile, but their efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A soldier named Sergeant Invin’ca Gamunya may have been killed by a crocodile while helping women cross a flooded river in Zimbabwe. He was pulled into the water by the crocodile, and his body has not been found yet. Another soldier, Private Emmanuel Usaiwevhu, tried to help but couldn't scare the crocodile away. Search operations are ongoing to find Gamunya and the crocodile in the Munyati River. Gamunya's bravery to help the women without permission from his superiors cost him his life.

Soldier Missing After Crocodile Attack In Flooded Munyati River

2 ZRP officers reportedly spent the night marooned at Musena Police Station after Munyati River burst its banks and flooded the police station downstream, The Chronicle reports.
the police officers Assistant Inspector Manyanye and Constable Marangira reportedly sent a distress signal to Civil Protection Unit (CPU) which confirmed receiving the report and tried to rescue the duo with the help of villagers in the area but failed.
The officers managed to rescue themselves when the flooding subsided yesterday morning. The incident was reportedly confirmed by District Development Coordinator Mr. Vafias Hlabati who told the publication that:
<blockquote>The two police officers are now safe and I have been in a meeting with the officer in charge who told me the water levels have subsided.
We have also been contemplating relocating the police base to safer place but will also be consulting with other stake holders,</blockquote>
Incessant rains have been received in many parts of the country which has caused flooding in some cases.
Source: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/flash-floods-hit-police-base/">Chronicle </a>

Cops Marooned After Base Station Floods

Three mine workers from the African Chrome Fields (ACF) in Kwekwe are missing after their makeshift boat capsized Thursday as they attempted to cross a flooded Munyati River while returning home from work.
Area councillor Rodgers Nhari confirmed the tragedy saying the trio had just been dropped off at the river by a company vehicle. Speaking to NewZimbabwe, Nhari said:
<blockquote>Three ACF workers were swept away Thursday when their makeshift boat capsized as they attempted to cross Munyati River while coming from work to Manyoni where they stay. The three are; Calisto Ruvazhe, Ken Paraffin and one only identified as Robbino.
These three were dropped off by the river by a company vehicle and were using a makeshift boat in which they were swept away in.
As of now, only their clothes and shoes have be found but their bodies are yet to be retrieved. It’s a sad day for the local community in our ward. The rivers in Kwekwe are flooded and we need everyone to be careful when crossing them.</blockquote>
Early this week, six people died in Gweru when a vehicle they were travelling in was swept away while crossing a flooded bridge.
Two were retrieved from the river while four others are still missing.
Authorities are advising members of the public not to attempt to cross flooded rivers.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/three-kwekwe-mine-workers-missing-after-makeshift-boat-capsized/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

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