By White Luhanga
A 26-year old Community Scout in Chama district of Eastern province, has drowned in Kamphemba river after a heavy downpour.
The deceased has been identified as Joseph Zimba, who was working under Tembwe Community Resource Board (CRB).
Joseph Zimba, now the deceased met his fate last night around 23:00hrs, as he attempted to cross Kamphemba river, with his friend, whose names have been withheld for other reasons.
The Brother to the deceased Dalab Zimba has confirmed about the death of his Brother to Kwenje Radio this evening.
Mr. Zimba says according to the information he got was that, his brother was coming back from his shop which is across Kamphemba river and in the process of attempting to cross the river, he got drowned.
Mr. Zimba says the other friend who was with the deceased managed to swim.
Chama District Commissioner Mr. Yobe L Goma says he is saddened by the death of Mr. Zimba and described him as a hardworking officer in the district .
Mr. Goma has urged people in the district, to avoid crossing rivers, whenever experienced with heavy rains.
Both Chief Tembwe and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) Chama District Acting Area Warden Ignitious Namabanda have also confirmed about the sad development to Kwenje Radio today.
Chief Tembwe who is also a Patron for Tembwe Community Resource Board (CRB) says he just received a phone call this morning, that one of the community scouts had drowned in Kamphemba river.
Chief Tembwe has described the death of Joseph Zimba as a great loss both to the family and the district at large.
Meanwhile, DNPW Chama district Area Warden said it is sad to lose an officer at a time when the Department is already faced with the issue of understaff in the district.
The the body of the deceased was retrieved today, around 17:00hrs after a combined search by the Department of National Parks Wildlife, the Police and the community.
And the body has since been deposited into Chama District hospital.
The deceased has left behind a wife and a child.