By Patience Gondo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a community policing drowning prevention campaign in Beitbridge Rural amid rising water levels in rivers and streams following persistent rains, warning that children and illegal cross border travellers face a heightened risk of death by drowning.
In a public safety alert issued on Monday, police said parents and guardians should escort children to and from school and to educate them against attempting to cross flooded streams, rivers or low level bridges, which have become increasingly dangerous due to heavy rainfall upstream.
Police also warned communities against allowing children to play near rivers, dams, uncovered pits or open wells, saying waterlogged ground and strong currents can quickly turn everyday activities into fatal incidents.
As part of the campaign, ZRP cautioned residents never to attempt swimming or rescuing drowning victims without proper safety equipment, saying water rescues fall under the mandate of the ZRP Sub Aqua Unit, which is trained and equipped to handle such emergencies.
In a strong message to would be illegal border crossers, police warned residents against using any point along the Limpopo River to cross into South Africa during the rainy season.
The river which has been swelling due to heavy rains and periodic releases of water from upstream dams, is crocodile infested and prone to sudden flash floods.
“Do not attempt to cross the flooded Limpopo River under any circumstances,” police said. “several drowning incidents recorded in past rainy seasons involved people underestimating the river’s force and unpredictability.”
Communities were also advised to avoid fishing and swimming in flooded rivers, streams and dams as debris, strong currents and poor visibility significantly increase the risk of accidents.
The campaign comes against the backdrop of persistent rains in Beitbridge, which have caused flooding in low lying areas, damaged infrastructure and disrupted daily life.
In recent weeks, some rural communities have been temporarily cut off after rivers burst their banks, forcing children in certain areas to negotiate dangerous crossings to access schools.
Beitbridge located at the confluence of major river systems and serving as a key border district has historically recorded drowning incidents during the rainy season, particularly involving children and cross-border travellers.
ZRP said the drowning prevention campaign will be rolled out through community policing structures, with officers engaging villagers, school authorities and traditional leaders to spread safety messages and encourage early reporting of hazardous situations.
Police also urged residents to prioritise life over convenience during the rainy season, warning that a single risky decision around flooded water bodies can have irreversible consequences.