2 drown in Mash East

HR.From The Herald, October 14, 2008

TWO people drowned in separate incidents in Mashonaland East on Sunday morning.

In the first incident, a hunter from Mhondoro communal lands drowned in Mupfure River in Beatrice while pursuing a warthog.

Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Sergeant Tendai Mwanza said Desire Munemo (40) drowned while trying to catch a warthog that had plunged into the river at around 8am.

Munemo, who was in the company of his brother when the incident occurred, was on his way to a farm in Beatrice to buy maize when his dogs came across a warthog.

He pursued the animal into the river, but drowned mid-stream. A report was then made at Beatrice Police Station, and Munemo’s body was later retrieved by the Police Sub-Aqua Unit.

In the other incident, a man from Dema drowned in Prince Edward Dam as he fled guards at a Campfire woodlot in Seke communal lands.

Sgt Mwanza said Russell Kudenga (26) was spotted stealing firewood by two Campfire security guards.

Upon seeing the guards charging towards him, Kudenga fled and jumped into the dam in a bid to make good his escape.

He however, got tired in the middle of the dam and drowned.

A report was then made at Dema Police Station.

Kudenga’s body was retrieved by the sub aqua unit and taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for post-mortem.

Sgt Mwanza urged people who cannot swim to stay clear of deep waters. — HR.

quote:

Sgt Mwanza said Russell Kudenga (26) was spotted stealing firewood by two Campfire security guards.

Upon seeing the guards charging towards him, Kudenga fled and jumped into the dam in a bid to make good his escape.

He however, got tired in the middle of the dam and drowned.

I think that they used the word "hunter" when they meant POACHER. Yes, I too would recommend that if you can't swim don't go near the water. I'm surprised that the crocs didn't dine on either one of the fools.

Another victory for the pigs. Once on Humani, a bunch of poachers chased a warthog into a burrow. Whilst some of the poachers were attempting to dig the hog out, one intrepid fellow decided to squat down and peer into the hole. The warthog chose that moment to make a break for it and came barreling out, tusking and severing the unfortunate chap's femoral artery as it did. That was the end of that guy's warthog poaching days.

Perhaps Russel had messed with the campfire guards once to many times. African Diplomacy for you.

Dad-gum! I thought, when I first read the caption, that some guy was being chased by a warthog and, to save himself, drowned the pursuing pig. That would be a tough fellow.

When I was at Elgin AFB for a survival school, temporily losing my mind, I climbed up a cedar tree and knocked a raccoon off a branch with a machete. I don't think I hurt it much. It fell into a little creek below. Several of the guys in the class tried to drown that sucker. I think three of them had to get rabies shots.

It reminded me of Lord of the Flies.

I wonder what the hunter/poacher was going to do with the warthog when he caught it? Dang if I'd try to grab one. They ain't harmless.

On a somewhat similar note, ABC radio reported today that a local Zimbabwe soccer team waded into a river to hold a religious blessing in preparation for an upcoming game. Apparently some local crocs also attended the ceremony. Crocs one, Zim soccer team zero.....