Mayor Mafume orders immediate probe into Budiriro tragedy, gives ultimatum of ‘few hours’ for report

47By Nigel PfundeHARARE – Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths of three people who drowned in a mud hole at a sewer works site in Budiriro on Sunday, giving city officials just “a few hours” to produce a comprehensive report, the City of Harare confirmed Monday.Emergency services recovered three bodies from the water-filled excavation pit after what began as a search for a male resident who reportedly fell into the mud hole while walking home. The sub-aqua teamled by Victor Kazembe (known as Coach Rambo) working alongside the City of Harare Fire Brigade, first retrieved the body of a young female who had gone missing earlier that evening. Kazembe then brought up a second male body, which turned out not to be the original victim before finally recovering the third body of the young man initially reported missing.City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama confirmed the mayor’s directive.

“His Worship the Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume has ordered an immediate probe into the deaths of the three saying he wants answers in the next few hours,” Gama said.Gama also extended the municipality’s official condolences.“The City of Harare extends its condolences to the families of the three. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this very difficult time,” he stated.Police and other agencies are carrying out their own investigations, with details to be released as inquiries continue. Volunteer group ConCERT was at the scene assisting with coordination alongside the Fire Brigade.Deputy Mayor Rose Muronda, disaster risk management chairpersonCllr Jane BhingariandCouncillor PedzesaiandDzinomurumbiwere also present until the early hours of MondayRapid response:Deputy Mayor Rose Muronda, disaster risk management chairperson Cllr Jane Bhingari and Councillor Pedzesai and Dzinomurumbi rushed to the scene.But some residents blamed the council for the tragedy, pointing to neglected safety measures at the sewer works site.“Council knew people were passing through this area every day.

There were no barriers, no warning signs, nothing. Now three people are dead because of their negligence,” said Tinashe Moyo, a Budiriro resident who gathered at the scene.Another resident, Constancia Chikwanha, expressed outrage over the delayed response. “We have been complaining about these open pits for weeks.

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The council only listens when people die. Our leaders must be held accountable for this carelessness,” she said.The investigation ordered by Mayor Mafume is expected to determine the circumstances leading to the deaths and whether safety protocols were violated at the sewer works site.HararecitycouncilJacobmafumestanleygamavictorkazembe HARARE – Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths of three people who drowned in a mud hole at a sewer works site in Budiriro on Sunday, giving city officials just “a few hours” to produce a comprehensive report, the City of Harare confirmed Monday. Emergency services recovered three bodies from the water-filled excavation pit after what began as a search for a male resident who reportedly fell into the mud hole while walking home.

Kazembe then brought up a second male body, which turned out not to be the original victim before finally recovering the third body of the young man initially reported missing. City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama confirmed the mayor’s directive. “His Worship the Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume has ordered an immediate probe into the deaths of the three saying he wants answers in the next few hours,” Gama said.

Gama also extended the municipality’s official condolences. “The City of Harare extends its condolences to the families of the three. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this very difficult time,” he stated.

Police and other agencies are carrying out their own investigations, with details to be released as inquiries continue. Volunteer group ConCERT was at the scene assisting with coordination alongside the Fire Brigade.Deputy Mayor Rose Muronda, disaster risk management chairpersonCllr Jane BhingariandCouncillor PedzesaiandDzinomurumbiwere also present until the early hours of Monday Rapid response:Deputy Mayor Rose Muronda, disaster risk management chairperson Cllr Jane Bhingari and Councillor Pedzesai and Dzinomurumbi rushed to the scene But some residents blamed the council for the tragedy, pointing to neglected safety measures at the sewer works site. “Council knew people were passing through this area every day.

Now three people are dead because of their negligence,” said Tinashe Moyo, a Budiriro resident who gathered at the scene. Another resident, Constancia Chikwanha, expressed outrage over the delayed response. Our leaders must be held accountable for this carelessness,” she said. The investigation ordered by Mayor Mafume is expected to determine the circumstances leading to the deaths and whether safety protocols were violated at the sewer works site.

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