 KEY POINTS
- A local pastor tragically drowned while baptising a church member at Tohwe Dam.
- Police confirmed no signs of foul play in the drowning.
- The drowning of the pastor during baptism raised safety concerns for future ceremonies.
The tragic drowning of Innocent Moyo during a baptism at Tohwe Dam has left Fanyana Village in Nkayi in despair.
Baptism ceremony ends in tragedy as pastor drowns at dam
The 35-year-old, who was a member of the Twelve Apostolic sect, had been performing baptisms at the nearby body of water.
Moyo had already baptized five members before summoning Pindani Sibanda to take his place, according to Assistant Inspector Glory Banda.
Unable to swim back to shore for safety, Moyo drowned after falling into deeper water while baptizing Sibanda.
Unable to save him from the depths of the dam in time, the congregation watched in terror as the scenario played out.
Following receipt of the report, police moved swiftly to the scene, where they were joined by churchgoers and townspeople who were helping with the recovery.
By confirming that the body had no obvious injuries, authorities were able to rule out any foul play or questionable circumstances surrounding the drowning.
“The body was retrieved, but no visible injuries were noted,” Assistant Inspector Banda said, adding that the incident was a tragic accident.
Fanyana Village has been devastated by the loss because the baptism was supposed to be a joyous and spiritual occasion.
Banda said solemnly, “This is a tragic event, and our thoughts are with the family and congregation during this difficult time.”
Calls grow for safer baptism sites after tragic drowning
She advised religious organizations to put safety first during rituals and to pick safer sites for water-body baptisms.
Banda emphasized that religious gatherings near dams, rivers, or other natural hazards require particular care and preparation.
In addition to reevaluating protocols for doing similar religious events, the community must now deal with the emotional issue of processing the incident.
According to Bulawayo24, many have called for greater awareness and preventative steps in response to Moyo’s passing in order to prevent catastrophes at religious gatherings in the future.
In remembrance of Moyo’s spiritual commitment and service to the congregation, the villagers came together to offer tribute and sorrow.
It is anticipated that local leaders will get together in the next few days to talk on rules and safety instruction for upcoming water-related church events.
