WHAT was supposed to be an early morning fishing expedition on the mighty Zambezi River ended in heartbreak after a 31-year-old man believed to have been drunk fell off a dug-out canoe and drowned.
Bornwell Mainza of Sing’ombe Village in the Katombora area of Kazungula District, reportedly met his fate around 07:30 hours yesterday near Royal Chuundu Lodge.
According to police, Mainza had gone fishing in the company of his 75-year-old father-in-law, Mushoke Ndozi, when the incident occurred.
Police said Mainza was intoxicated and struggled to maintain balance while removing a fishing basket from the water.
Therefore, he lost control and tumbled into the river, where the strong current swept him away before he could be rescued.
The father-in-law, though present, could do little to help as the river showed no mercy.
Mainza’s elder brother, Dominic Lubasi, 40, later reported the matter to police around 09:30 hours.
By press time, Mainza’s body had not yet been recovered while efforts to locate him have since been launched by the Zambia Police Marine Unit and the Kazungula Fire Department.
Southern Province deputy commanding officer Moono Namalongo confirmed the development.
“An inquiry file has been opened, and a combined search operation is underway to retrieve the body,” stated Namalongo.
By George Musonda
Kalemba July 26, 2025
