Incidents of drowning continue to be reported across various parts of the Vhembe region due to heavy rains and flooding. As the search continues for two people who were swept away at Tswinga Bridge in the Dzindi River last week, another body was recovered from the Mvudi River, not far from the Shayandima industrial site, on Tuesday.
The body recovered on Tuesday was identified as 32-year-old Khumbulikhaya Mushai, originally from Chipinge in Zimbabwe, but currently residing in Maungani outside Thohoyandou. He was last seen on Friday, 16 January, while on his way to the nearby industrial site where he used to do piece jobs. He never returned home.
Partially disabled in his right leg, it is believed that Mushai attempted to take a shortcut through the flooded Mvudi River, where he was swept away. Sources close to him said that on that Friday he had been in good spirits, having enjoyed some drinks earlier before leaving for his piece job.
“When he did not come back, we started panicking but did not report him missing, as we thought he might be with friends or relatives somewhere. We searched everywhere, but in vain. We were alerted to his body by observant community members who spotted it on Tuesday,” said a relative who asked to remain anonymous.
Vhembe police spokesperson Warrant Officer Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened following the discovery of the body. The body was found intact but entangled in a tree. “Post-mortem tests will determine the cause of death,” Dathi said.