SOLDIER WHO DROWNED JUST BACK FROM RUSSIA

PIGG’S PEAK – Some of his relatives described the  soldier who recently downed as a person who could run into a burning house to save another’s life, which is exactly what soldiers are trained for.

It is for this reason that even when he drowned, Themba Gumedze, who held a senior position at Mdzimba Army Barracks, drowned while trying to ensure the safety of an elderly person. Gumedze’s body was found on Tuesday, several kilometres from where he was said to have drowned. The body was found at a place known as Mpofu No. 7.

Divers

This was after soldiers and police scuba divers intensified the search and even used a helicopter to follow the flow of the river. The deceased soldier is originally from Mayiwane area, at a place known as Entokozweni. According to a relative, Gumedze is said to have been in Russia for nearly six years, sent by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF). He would sometimes visit home while he was based in Russia for undisclosed operational training. The relative also revealed that the soldier had just returned from Russia, about six months ago.

At the time of his demise, he is said to have been travelling with a relative when they reached a bridge. The relative is said to have wondered whether they would be able to cross the river. It was then that Gumedze suggested that he should check if indeed the vehicle could use the bridge. However, the relative insisted that he would not be able to drive through. Gumedze is then said to have decided to bath instead, but he was swept away by the river. It was initially believed that he may have been attacked by a crocodile but his relative said the body was intact when they retrieved it from the water.

Located

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that the body of a 41-year-old man who was reported to have drowned had been located. Several soldiers had gathered at his parental home at Entokozweni near Buhleni yesterday to pass their condolensces. Noteworthy, Gumedze’s relatives were still mourning the death of one of his uncles, who is yet to be buried. When his family received a call about his drowning, his mother was at another homestead mourning the death of her in-law, who is an uncle to Gumedze.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: