MASVINGO - Police in Chiredzi yesterday retrieved the bodies of a Chilonga man and his son who drowned in Runde River on Sunday after a minibus they were travelling in was washed away by a flooded river.

Masvingo police spokesperson, Peter Zhanero, told reporters that the sub aqua unit managed to retrieve the dismembered bodies after four days of intensive searches.

Two more bodies are still missing after a commuter minibus was washed away while attempting to cross the flooded river by being towed by a tractor.

“Police from our sub aqua unit managed to retrieve two bodies from the four. The two have been identified as Forward Mapengo (33) and his son John (12),” he said.

Zhanero said the bodies had some parts missing and suspected they could have been devoured by crocodiles.

“Forward’s body has some limbs missing while his son’s head is also missing.

“We suspect that the body parts were eaten by crocodiles that are habitats of the river,” Zhanero said, adding the search of other two bodies was still ongoing.

The search enters the fifth day today.

Zhanero however, warned motorists and the public to desist from crossing flooded rivers in the rainy season.

“We urge motorists and the general public to avoid crossing flooded rivers in this rain season.

“It is very dangerous to cross rivers and we should save our precious lives by cancelling journeys or taking alternative routs where possible when we approach flooded rivers,” said Zhanero. - Godfrey Mtimba