Staff Reporter
HARARE – A Budiriro family is demanding US$150,000 in damages from the City of Harare following the tragic death of their 17-year-old daughter, who drowned in a sewage-filled excavation pit allegedly left unattended by council workers for several months.
Talita Munda lost her life after falling into the waterlogged pit, which residents say had become a dangerous hazard in the community after being left open and unsecured.
Through their legal representatives, Maseko Law Chambers, the family has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the City of Harare, demanding compensation for emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and what they describe as a violation of the teenager’s constitutional right to life.
According to the family’s lawyers, the excavation was located in a residential area populated by families and children, yet no measures were taken to secure the site or warn residents of the danger.
“The excavation remained exposed in a community full of residents, including children. This tragedy was entirely preventable and arose from a failure to take basic safety precautions,” reads part of the demand letter.
The lawyers further argue that the council’s actions amounted to gross negligence.
“This was not ordinary negligence. It was a shocking disregard for public safety that resulted in the loss of innocent lives,” the legal team stated.
The tragic incident has already resulted in criminal proceedings against three City of Harare employees. Moses Dicko, Tinei Chihwai and Thomas Rwakatiwana were arrested and charged with culpable homicide following investigations into the deaths linked to the pit.
Court proceedings revealed that the excavation had reportedly remained open for months, gradually filling with water and sewage, effectively becoming a death trap for unsuspecting residents.
The tragedy came to light on June 7 when a 19-year-old man allegedly fell into the pit. Rescue efforts later uncovered the bodies of Talita Munda and 34-year-old Vimbainashe Chihota, bringing the death toll associated with the excavation to three.
A magistrate denied the accused municipal workers bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged negligence and the loss of human life resulting from the incident.
The case has sparked renewed concerns over public safety standards, maintenance of infrastructure projects, and accountability within local authorities. Residents have questioned how such a hazardous excavation could remain exposed for an extended period without intervention.
As public pressure mounts, the City of Harare has yet to publicly respond to the family’s compensation demand or provide details on measures being taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The matter is expected to proceed to civil litigation should the local authority fail to respond within the stipulated period.
