Harare — TWO people drowned in separate incidents in Mashonaland East on Sunday morning.

In the first incident, a hunter from Mhondoro communal lands drowned in Mupfure River in Beatrice while pursuing a warthog.

Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Sergeant Tendai Mwanza said Desire Munemo (40) drowned while trying to catch a warthog that had plunged into the river at around 8am.

Munemo, who was in the company of his brother when the incident occurred, was on his way to a farm in Beatrice to buy maize when his dogs came across a warthog.

He pursued the animal into the river, but drowned mid-stream. A report was then made at Beatrice Police Station, and Munemo's body was later retrieved by the Police Sub-Aqua Unit.

In the other incident, a man from Dema drowned in Prince Edward Dam as he fled guards at a Campfire woodlot in Seke communal lands.

Sgt Mwanza said Russell Kudenga (26) was spotted stealing firewood by two Campfire security guards.

Upon seeing the guards charging towards him, Kudenga fled and jumped into the dam in a bid to make good his escape.

He however, got tired in the middle of the dam and drowned.

A report was then made at Dema Police Station.

Kudenga's body was retrieved by the sub aqua unit and taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for post-mortem.

Sgt Mwanza urged people who cannot swim to stay clear of deep waters.