Tragedy as fisherman drowns at Shashe River

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday January 27, 2021 20:46

 

Tragedy as fisherman drowns at Shashe River

Tonota Police Station commander superintendent Oteng Ngada told Mmegi Online that the fisherman allegedly drowned on Saturday between 6pm and 7pm.

Ngada added that the fisherman drowned while out fishing with three others.

He said that the surviving fishermen told the police that while they were still searching for fish, the deceased made a fatal misstep that led to him falling into the deep waters.

Tonota Police chief said that the illegal fisherman’s body was later found unconscious at around 9pm on the same day through the assistance of a team of combined forces of scuba divers.

He added that the scuba divers managed to fish out the lifeless body of the fisherman.

He added that the man was then rushed to the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NRH) where he was certified dead upon arrival. Ngada said that the deceased illegal fisherman was an unemployed person who was residing with his cousin at one of the Shashe Bridge villages. 

The identity of the deceased person is withheld until his next of kin are informed.

Tonota station commander warned the public against illegal fishing,   especially at a time when the fishing season is closed as that is an offence that attracts and warrants charges.

He  added: “People who fish during the offseason are usually not   licensed fishers and do  not  have  the  skills  such  as  swimming  hence  they  should  stay away  from over flooded  rivers.”

He said even though this is the first incident of its nature since the beginning of  January,  there is still a  growing concern over illegal fishing in their policing  area which often leads to death and reports of missing persons.