Mozambican Canoe Team Rescues 15 Zimbabweans Marooned On Save River

Mozambican villagers have rescued 15 Zimbabweans who had been stranded on Lisungwe Island along the Save River for more than three weeks.

The group, from Mahenye in Ward 23, Chipinge, Manicaland, had been cut off after rising water levels left them marooned on the island.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) sub-aqua unit was unable to access the area, while a helicopter that had been earmarked for the rescue was deployed elsewhere in the Midlands.

Villagers from Mozambique used canoes to reach the island and safely bring all 15 stranded people back to shore last Friday.

Chipinge District Development Coordinator William Mashava confirmed the rescue to Chipinge Times. He said:

“They are out of the woods. All 15 are back in the village. They were rescued this morning using canoes belonging to the neighbouring Mozambican villagers.”

The villagers were first reported stranded earlier in March after heavy rains caused water levels in the Save River to rise.

Chipinge South MP Clifford Hlatswayo (CCC) said the incident highlights the urgent need for both government and communities to better prepare for such situations. Said Hlatswayo:

“When lives are at stake, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) must act swiftly. In this case, the response was delayed while villagers remained stranded for more than 10 days, and the helicopter meant to assist was elsewhere.

“We also need to work with local leadership, including Chief Mahenye and the DDC, to find safer areas where villagers can carry out their agricultural activities without being exposed to flood risks.”

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