The bodies of two fishermen who drowned at Letsibogo dam in Mmadinare over the weekend have been retrived.
Station Commander, Meshack Pulenyane confirmed that they retrieved the first body last night while the other was found this afternoon (Thursday).
He said the two men aged 44 and 46 originate from Zimbabwe. “One of them has a valid work permit and worked in a farm at Tonota while the other stays in Jwaneng. We managed to locate their families. The bodies are currently at Mmadinare Primary Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem.”
A combined search party of Botswana Police Service, Botswana Defence Force and Water Utilities Officers was dispatched on Saturday after eyewitnesses reported the drowning incident.
The two men had allegedly gone fishing in a wooden canoe when they met their tragic fate.
Police responded to the report but were only able to retrieve the canoe as the bodies remained out of sight.
Superintendent Pulenyane noted that fishing is currently prohibited at the dam and expressed concern that people still do it illegally.
“Though the investigations are ongoing, based on allegations it shows the victims had left their artificial lures or bait in the dam to trap the fish. Water Utilities Corporation prohibit off-season fishing for breeding control purposes. We work with WUC officers to fight illegal fishing. We always conduct patrols along the dam. The victims were probably not experienced polers and possibly lost control of the boat. I urge people in my policing area to report if they see people fishing. We educate people in kgotla meetings about illegal fishing and the possible charges,” said Pulenyane
