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Family sues council over son's sewer pit death
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The family of a Budiriro man who drowned in an unprotected sewage excavation is demanding US$250,000 in damages from the City of Harare, alleging the local authority's negligence led to his death.
In a letter of demand dated July 28, Farayi Zuva of Bruce Tokwe Chambers, representing the Karakadzai family, alleges that the City of Harare failed to secure a dangerous excavation near a sewage pool in Budiriro 3, resulting in the death of Saul Karakadzai on June 7.
According to the letter, Karakadzai was returning home from work at around 8pm when he used a public footpath that passes near the sewage pool.
The family's lawyers claim that City of Harare workers had been carrying out construction work at the site and excavated around the pathway before leaving without erecting barricades, warning signs or any other safety measures to protect members of the public.
They allege that Karakadzai fell into the unprotected sewage excavation and drowned, arguing that he had every reason to believe the footpath was safe because it was regularly used by residents.
The letter accuses the local authority of breaching its duty of care by failing to fence off the excavation, install warning signs or lights, and adequately alert pedestrians to the danger posed by the site.
The family's legal representatives further state that the City of Harare has already instituted disciplinary proceedings against employees linked to the incident and that criminal proceedings are underway.
Three City of Harare employees — Moses Dicko, Tinei Chihwai and Thomas Rwakatiwana — have been charged with culpable homicide in connection with the incident. They were denied bail by a Harare regional magistrate.
The family says it has suffered emotional trauma, pain and suffering, loss of financial support and the loss of a beloved son, and is seeking US$250,000 in damages from the local authority.
The letter gives the City of Harare 14 days to settle the claim, failing which the family's lawyers say they will institute civil proceedings against the municipality.
The City of Harare had not responded to the letter of demand at the time of publication.
In a letter of demand dated July 28, Farayi Zuva of Bruce Tokwe Chambers, representing the Karakadzai family, alleges that the City of Harare failed to secure a dangerous excavation near a sewage pool in Budiriro 3, resulting in the death of Saul Karakadzai on June 7.
According to the letter, Karakadzai was returning home from work at around 8pm when he used a public footpath that passes near the sewage pool.
The family's lawyers claim that City of Harare workers had been carrying out construction work at the site and excavated around the pathway before leaving without erecting barricades, warning signs or any other safety measures to protect members of the public.
They allege that Karakadzai fell into the unprotected sewage excavation and drowned, arguing that he had every reason to believe the footpath was safe because it was regularly used by residents.
The family's legal representatives further state that the City of Harare has already instituted disciplinary proceedings against employees linked to the incident and that criminal proceedings are underway.
Three City of Harare employees — Moses Dicko, Tinei Chihwai and Thomas Rwakatiwana — have been charged with culpable homicide in connection with the incident. They were denied bail by a Harare regional magistrate.
The family says it has suffered emotional trauma, pain and suffering, loss of financial support and the loss of a beloved son, and is seeking US$250,000 in damages from the local authority.
The letter gives the City of Harare 14 days to settle the claim, failing which the family's lawyers say they will institute civil proceedings against the municipality.
The City of Harare had not responded to the letter of demand at the time of publication.
Source - H-Metro
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