Staff Reporter
HARARE – Three City of Harare employees have been arrested and charged with culpable homicide following the deaths of three residents who drowned in an unprotected sewer drainage pit in Budiriro, as authorities intensify investigations into one of the city’s deadliest infrastructure-related tragedies in recent years.
The arrests were confirmed by City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama, who said the municipal workers are expected to appear in court to answer charges linked to the fatal incident.
The tragedy occurred after a resident reportedly fell into a sewage-filled pit that had allegedly been left exposed during sewer rehabilitation works. During efforts to recover the victim, rescuers discovered two additional bodies in the same pit.
The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and prompted Government intervention, with Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe describing the deaths as a result of negligence by municipal employees.
“It is very disheartening and regrettable that due to negligence of duty by employees of our capital city council, City of Harare, we lost lives,” said Minister Garwe.
He said preliminary findings suggested that the excavation site had been left unsecured and without adequate warning signs to protect residents using nearby pathways.
Minister Garwe also criticised what he termed weak enforcement by municipal police, saying that closer collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police could have helped avert the tragedy.
The minister revealed that criminal proceedings had already commenced against individuals believed to be responsible for the deaths.
“As we speak, action is being taken for culpable homicide for the people that were involved in this tragic loss of lives,” he said.
Beyond the criminal investigation, Government has commissioned an independent inquiry to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend further action.
“We’ve also engaged some people outside the local authority employees who can do a thorough investigation of what happened and thereafter, we’ll make recommendations for action to be taken,” Minister Garwe said.
He added that questions surrounding compensation for the bereaved families would be determined through the courts once police investigations and legal processes have been concluded.
The Budiriro deaths have intensified scrutiny of Harare’s ageing infrastructure and the management of public works projects, with residents and civic groups demanding accountability from city authorities.
The tragedy has also renewed calls for stricter safety measures at construction and rehabilitation sites, particularly in densely populated residential areas where residents, including children, regularly use footpaths near ongoing municipal works.
