Toddler drowns in Chavuma

A ONE year old baby has died after a dug-out canoe he was travelling in with his mother capsized as they were crossing the Zambezi river in Chavuma. Northwestern Province Commissioner of Police, Elias Chushiconfirmed the incident that happened last Sunday at Samuzala ferry point. Mr Chushi said Femmy Sakuwaha, the mother to the deceased baby was in transit to Mulanda village on the west bank of Chavuma with her one year old son when the canoe capsized due to strong waves. “Police in Chavuma received a report of drowning which occurred on August 23, 2020 around 14:00 hours at Samuzala ferry point in Chavuma district. Details of the report state that, Femmy Sakuwahaaged 19 of Kakoma area, in Kapapilo village Chief Ndungu with her one year old baby were in transit to Mulanda village using a dug-out canoe paddled by Kahyata Kahyata of Chivombo village,” he explained. He further said the paddler of the canoe and the mother who was carrying her son on the back, fell in the river but managed to swim to the shore where the baby died. “The named mother with her baby strapped on her back and the paddler fell into the deep waters of the river. The paddler and the mother managed to swim whilst holding on to her baby, who unfortunately died when they reached the shore,” Mr Chushi said. The provincial police chief said no foul play is suspected. ZANISThe Sun