Four Rescued After Being Trapped by Flooded Thekwane River

25 December 2025

By Andile Vundla

Four people from Butshe Village in the Madlambuzi area in Bulilima district, Plumtree, were rescued after they became trapped by rising water levels while crossing the Thekwane River to harvest mopane worms.

The incident occurred on 20 December 2025, when Lethiwe Ncube (52), Wiseman Ncube (16), Merryline Nyathi (16) and Kudzani Ncube (age unknown), all from Magede Ncube’s homestead, crossed the Thekwane River at around 6am using a donkey-drawn scotch cart. They were travelling to the Mbimba area to collect mopane worms, locally known as madora or amacimbi.

At the time, the river had water flowing but was still passable.

Later that day, at around 6pm, the group began their journey back home. They successfully crossed the first split of the Thekwane River. However, upon reaching the second split, approximately 100 meters from the first, they discovered that the river had flooded and was no longer passable.

In an attempt to find a safer route, they returned to the first crossing point, only to find that water levels there had also risen significantly. With both routes impassable, the four were left stranded on a small river island.

Confirming the incident, Matabeleland South Police Spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube said the group was eventually rescued through community efforts.

“Take note that those at Thekwane were rescued by the community. Our sub aqua team arrived and found them already out,” said Inspector Dube.

No injuries were reported, and police have once again urged members of the public to exercise caution when crossing rivers during the rainy season, as water levels can rise rapidly and without warning.

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