Harare, (New Ziana)-Three dead bodies were on Sunday retrieved from a mud-filled excavation site in Budiriro high density suburb where City of Harare workers were carrying out major sewer rehabilitation works, the local authority has said.
In a statement, the City Council said rescuers were initially searching for a man reported to have fallen into a sewer line where teams were working after a blockage, but then recovered the bodies of a young woman and another man before finding him.
Council said the sub-aqua team working alongside the City of Harare Fire Brigade, first retrieved the body of a young female who had gone missing earlier that evening.
The team then retrieved a second male body, which turned out not to be the original victim, before finally recovering the third body of the young man who had been reported missing.
“Following reports that a Harare male resident had drowned in a mud hole at the site of massive sewer works being conducted by the City of Harare, emergency services teams ended up retrieving three bodies.
“Authorities had been informed that a man walking home had fallen into the mud hole but the sub aqua team led by Victor Kazembe (Coach Rambo) working with the City of Harare Fire Brigade retrieved the body of a young female who had gone missing earlier yesterday (Saturday) evening.
“Kazembe then brought up a second body, a male but again it turned out this was not the person the rescue teams were initially looking for. He then retrieved the third body of the young man who had been reported to have fallen into the mud pool,” it said.
The council said police and other agencies are carrying out investigations with more details expected to be released when these are completed, adding Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has since ordered an immediate investigation into the three deaths.
“The City of Harare extends its condolences to the families of the three. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this very difficult time,” the council said.
*New Ziana*
