Staff Reporter
Police have arrested two suspects and are pursuing five others following the deaths of four schoolgirls at Petra Dam in Chegutu.
The girls drowned after allegedly fleeing a group that confronted them over illegal fishing.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) launched a suspected culpable homicide investigation following the incident at Petra Farm on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The incident occurred at around 9 pm.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests of two suspects, aged 16 and 19, on Tuesday, October 20.
Police continued searching for five other suspects at the time of the statement.
Nyathi identified the girls as Letty Sedrick, 14, Tadiwa Phiri, 15, Faith Woda, 13, and Mercy Tembo, 14.
All four were Grade Six or Seven pupils.
According to Nyathi, seven people confronted the girls and accused them of fishing illegally. The girls were using a mosquito net to catch fish.
Two boys accompanied the girls during the fishing expedition.
Nyathi said the suspects allegedly assaulted one of the boys with a switch and their hands when he attempted to escape.
The boy swam across the dam to safety, while his companion followed him.
Police believe the four girls also attempted to cross the dam to escape the confrontation. However, they failed to reach the opposite bank.
Officers recovered their bodies on Monday, October 19, a day after the incident.
Investigators are examining whether the confrontation and alleged assault contributed to the girls’ deaths.
Nyathi warned members of the public against confronting suspected offenders violently.
“Members of the public should refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Any concerns regarding purported illegal activities should be reported to the police or relevant authorities for the law to take its course,” he said.
He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s movements, particularly at night.
“Children should be discouraged from visiting dams or rivers during the night,” Nyathi said.
Police had not announced further arrests or court appearances in the reports available as of October 23.
Investigations are continuing.
