Heartbreaking Flooding Crisis: Five Family Members Trapped in Ndolwane

Ndolwane, Plumtree— In a desperate plea for assistance, villagers in Bhutshe, Ndolwane, are raising alarms about five family members who have been trapped on an island in the flooded Thekwane River since Sunday. The situation has become increasingly dire as rising waters continue to engulf their makeshift refuge.

The incident unfolded on December 21, 2025, when the five individuals attempted to cross the Thekwane River in a donkey-drawn cart after a day of harvesting mopane worms. As they navigated the swollen waters, the river surged unexpectedly, sweeping away their donkeys and leaving them stranded. Villagers have identified the trapped family members as:

– Lethiwe (born 1977)

– Wiseman (born 2009)

– Marylene(born 2010)

– Bhorongi(14 years old)

– Gogo Na Trial (date of birth unknown)

Witnesses describe scenes of panic along the riverbanks, where villagers have gathered in distress, keeping a vigil and praying for a rescue. Many expressed their anguish through tears, fearing for the trapped individuals’ safety as time slips away.

Despite reporting the alarming situation to local police multiple times over the past three days, villagers have expressed frustration over the lack of action, claiming authorities are awaiting assistance from the Civil Protection Unit (CPU). According to one villager, “Every minute counts; hunger is setting in, and some of them are on medication.”

Efforts to reach the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Ndolwane for comment were unsuccessful, with calls going unanswered.

This incident occurs amid widespread flooding throughout the region, exacerbated by a week of relentless rain that has caused extensive damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. Communities are increasingly vulnerable, and local residents are urgently calling on authorities to respond before it is too late.