Family demands US$150k after pit drowning

A grieving Budiriro family has demanded US$150 000 in damages from the City of Harare following the death of their 17-year-old daughter, who drowned in a sewage-filled excavation allegedly left open and unsecured by council workers.

Talita Munda died after falling into a five-metre-long pit in Budiriro, which residents say had been abandoned for months and had filled with water, creating a deadly hazard in a residential area.

Her father, Itai Munda, has through his lawyers issued a 14-day ultimatum to the local authority, warning that legal action will be taken if compensation is not paid.

The demand comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings against three City of Harare employees accused of negligence linked to the tragedy.

The municipal workers — Moses Dicko, Tinei Chihwai and Thomas Rwakatiwana — were arrested and charged with culpable homicide following the deaths of three people at the site.

The fatal incident occurred on June 7 when a 19-year-old man reportedly fell into the excavation. Rescue efforts subsequently led to the discovery of the bodies of Talita Munda and 34-year-old Vimbainashe Chihota.

Authorities allege that the excavation had remained exposed for months, allowing it to fill with water and become a dangerous trap for unsuspecting residents.

A magistrate denied the three accused workers bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged negligence and the loss of innocent lives.

In a letter addressed to the City of Harare, lawyers from Maseko Law Chambers argued that the tragedy was entirely preventable and resulted from the council's failure to implement basic safety measures.

"The excavation remained exposed in a community full of residents including children," the lawyers stated.

The family is seeking compensation for emotional trauma, pain and suffering, as well as what they describe as a violation of Talita's constitutional right to life.

"This was not ordinary negligence — it was a shocking disregard for public safety," the lawyers said.

The claim adds to growing public scrutiny over the condition of municipal infrastructure and unfinished public works projects across Harare, with residents increasingly raising concerns over safety risks posed by unprotected excavations and damaged sewer systems.

The City of Harare had not responded to the family's demand at the time of publication.

If the matter proceeds to court, it could become one of the most significant civil claims arising from alleged municipal negligence in recent years.