The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has named the eight self-proclaimed prophets from the Vadzidzi vaJeso Apostolic sect who drowned on Saturday at Mazowe River in Rushinga.
The incident took place at around 2 PM at the Hungumwe River which lies at the confluence of Mazowe and Tsvinje rivers.
Reports indicate that a group of 30 prophets fell into a trance during their annual Passover ceremony and stampeded into the river, resulting in their drowning.
Congregants who were at the event managed to rescue the other prophets, but the eight were already dead.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo on Saturday named the now deceased as Nickson Singano (29), Peter Marera (31), Tendai Marera (28), Alexeio Makombe (26), Tichawana Katiyo (32), Isaac Dokora (21), Lanciot Dokora(34) and Chriswell Kunyengerera.
He warned the public against playing in, or near water bodies as this could lead to unnecessary loss of life. Said Asst Insp Dhliwayo:
We are warning members of the public to desist from playing near, or in water bodies as they risk losing their lives because water bodies contain dangerous creatures like crocodiles or hippopotamus which can attack them to death.
