A MALE Harare Polytechnic student drowned in a swimming pool in Victoria Falls on Wednesday night.
Tinotenda Madembo (29) from the Department of Commerce,
died after efforts to resuscitate him failed.
He was among the students who attended the Youth Forum
Startup Olympiad competition in the premier resort town, courtesy of the
Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA).
Harare Polytechnic principal, Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo,
who was also attending the event, confirmed the tragic death of his student.
“It was a devastating and shocking development,” he said.
“It was not expected, but I can confirm that it did happen.
“ I cannot give you details at the moment because police
are still looking into this matter.
“What I got from other students is that Tinotenda Madembo
decided to swim during the night, and that’s when the unfortunate thing
happened.
“As for students, I just want to urge them wherever they
are, to prioritise their safety.
“If they don’t understand anything, or if they are not
equipped to get into any form of exercise, they should seek guidance and
protection from their seniors.”
One of the students, who witnessed the drowning, said: “He
went swimming within the facilities where we were staying and drowned. Efforts
were made to resuscitate him, but it was all in vain.
“The incident occurred around 8pm and family members have
been notified,” said the student.
Another source said: “He was enjoying himself with fellow
students in the pool at Rest Camp where the students were camping.
“It is alleged that students were preparing to host a mini
party, for one of the Kenyan participants, who had bought a cake to celebrate
with his new friends.
“It is not yet clear how the drowning actually happened
since none of the students were comfortable talking about it.
“One of the students discovered the lifeless body of
Madembo at the shallow end of the pool.
“First aid was applied to him when an ambulance was on its
way.
“After some time, when he had been rushed to the hospital,
he was pronounced dead.” H Metro
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