By Bennie Mundando
A YEAR-OLD baby has died as the mother of Chavuma in North Western Province struggled to swim to safety after a dugout canoe in which they were capsized.
The incident is reported to have happened on Sunday around 14:00 hours at Samuzala Ferry point in Chavuma District.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo says mother of the infant, Femmy Sakuwaha, 19 of Kakoma area, in Kapapilo village, Chief Ndungu in Chavuma District, with her year-old baby boy, identified as Wana Kaleji, were in transit to Mulanda village on the west bank in Chavuma.
Ms. Katongo says the dugout canoe was being puddled by Kahyata Kahyata of Chivombo village.
“As they were crossing the Zambezi River at Samuzala Ferry point, the canoe capsized due to strong waves. The named mother with her baby strapped on her back and the paddler fell into the deep waters of the river.
“They both managed to swim to safety and the female victim swam whilst holding on to her baby, which unfortunately died when they reached the shore,” Ms. Katongo said.
