Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The government will secure the area around the Victoria Falls gorge to prevent tourists from falling over into the deep ravine.
This follows the death of a Harare man, Roy George Tinashe Dikinya, who plunged to his death at the gorge while taking pictures with a friend over the festive season.
Tourism minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu on Monday night revealed that the government would be securing the viewing site at the falls to prevent similar accidents in future. In his condolence message to the Dikinya family, Ndhlovu said:
On behalf of the ministry and government of Zimbabwe, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the Dikinya family following the tragic incident which saw Roy slip and fall down in the Victoria Falls gorge.
This is a rare, tragic and unfortunate incident to be witnessed at the mighty Victoria Falls.
All necessary precautions will be taken to guard against a recurrence of such an unfortunate incident.
Indeed, Victoria Falls, like other tourist resorts, should be a place for relaxation and merry-making.
This isolated incident is therefore sincerely regretted.
Dikinya’s body has since been located some 100m at the falls’ Danger Point.
However, the police and Zimparks rangers are battling to retrieve the 40-year-old’s body due to the precarious terrain.
