News / National
Harare boy (12) drowns in shallow pit
10 Jan 2015 at 20:15hrs | Views
A 12-year old boy drowned last Friday night in a shallow pit in Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, in Harare.
The boy has been identified as Laurence Munjaranji.
Laurence was playing with his friends when the incident occurred.
His body was only recovered from the pit on Saturday morning by police.
The boy's uncle, Anesu Kapanga explained that he died while trying to rescue his friend who had dived into the pit first.
"His friends were afraid to come and break the sad news, we just saw his shirt which they came and put at the gate," said Kapanga.
Residents in the area expressed outrage that authorities had left the pit open for such a long time and blamed a contractor, Waymark, for the incident.
The Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan province, Miriam Chikukwa implored councils, utility providers and private companies who dig trenches to rehabilitate them.
The pit which has become a danger zone has been lying open since construction works in the area ended.
Sand poachers have also been worsening the situation.
Unconfirmed reports say this is the 13th such incident since December last year in and around Harare.
The boy has been identified as Laurence Munjaranji.
Laurence was playing with his friends when the incident occurred.
His body was only recovered from the pit on Saturday morning by police.
The boy's uncle, Anesu Kapanga explained that he died while trying to rescue his friend who had dived into the pit first.
Residents in the area expressed outrage that authorities had left the pit open for such a long time and blamed a contractor, Waymark, for the incident.
The Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan province, Miriam Chikukwa implored councils, utility providers and private companies who dig trenches to rehabilitate them.
The pit which has become a danger zone has been lying open since construction works in the area ended.
Sand poachers have also been worsening the situation.
Unconfirmed reports say this is the 13th such incident since December last year in and around Harare.
Source - zbc
