By NORMA SIAME –
FORTY children survived a near-drowning incident mid this week when the boat ferrying them to school capsized on a river in Mungwi District.
The boat, which went belly up on Chinongolwela River, is believed to have been loaded beyond capacity.
Only quick action by some villagers saved the children from drowning when they rushed to the river and began rescuing the children who were floundering in the water.
The pupils from Mulema Sampa Primary School were being ferried across the river on school days to allow them to go to school after water levels rose following a fortnight of heavy rains.
The new boat, which was donated to the community by the Office of the Vice-President under the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, was handed over three weeks ago by Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobota Nkunika.
School deputy head teacher Josephat Makonde attributed the accident to overloading.
Mr Makonde was grateful to members of the community who saved some of the children who could not swim from drowning.
The permanent secretary said he had received a report which he was studying after which he would issue a statement.
