Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
THE bodies of the final two victims of the Ruti Dam boating tragedy have been recovered, bringing a heartbreaking end to a five-day search operation and confirming the deaths of all four family members who were aboard the vessel when it capsized.
Rescue teams recovered the last two bodies on Thursday, concluding an intensive operation launched after a wooden canoe overturned in the early hours of Saturday while crossing Ruti Dam between Gutu and Buhera districts.
The victims have been identified as Modrich Rufu, his sister Tecla Rufu and her two children, Moreblessing and Peace Zvoushe.
The tragedy has left relatives devastated, with family members who had been camped at the dam throughout the search expressing relief that their loved ones have finally been found.
Mr Rangarirai Rufu said the family had intended to cross to the Buhera side to connect with transport to Harare after failing to secure a commuter omnibus in their village.
“My sister Tecla Rufu, my young brother Modrich Rufu, and my nieces Peace and Moreblessing Zvoushe intended to cross to the Buhera side to board a bus to Harare. Normally, commuter omnibuses pass through our village, but on that day none came, so they decided to use the boat. We do not know what happened leading to the accident,” he said.
A relative, Mrs Emily Charehwatenda, said the family remains uncertain about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“We are still in the dark about the cause of the accident. We were only informed after a child’s body was seen floating in the water, leading to the discovery that it was Tecla’s child. If that body had not been found, we might still not know what had happened to them,” she said.
The leader of the search team, Mr Victor Kazembe, popularly known as “Coach Rambo”, urged canoe operators and passengers to prioritise safety by using life jackets and adhering to recommended passenger limits.
“People using canoes must always wear life jackets. They are not a luxury but a necessity. Had the victims been wearing life jackets, this tragedy might have been avoided,” he said.
Ruti Dam, which separates Gutu and Buhera districts, has recorded several drowning incidents over the years as some residents opt for canoe transport to shorten travel times.
The latest tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of water transport safety regulations and increased public awareness on the importance of using life-saving equipment.
