4 council officials arrested over Budiriro tragedy

In a statement yesterday, ZRP national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of four Harare City council officials, Engineer Tapiwa Richard Kunyadini (58), Moses Dicko (57), Thomas Rwakatiwana (52) and Tineyi Chihwai (41) for negligently causing the death of the three victims through their action of omission and commission leading to the tragic incident,” he said. “Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has commissioned a batch of motorcycles for urban centres policing, rural patrol and traffic enforcement throughout the country. The all-terrain motorcycles will be allocated to police stations for effective management of scene attendance, crime management, general and specific patrols and tackling reckless driving conduct on the roads.

Herald Reporter

FOUR Harare City Council officials have been arrested in connection with alleged negligence linked to the deaths of three people who were recovered from a mud-filled sewage excavation site in Budiriro 3, Harare.

The incident occurred after a young man reportedly slipped and fell into the uncovered sewage excavation site while walking home.

During a subsequent sub-aqua recovery operation on June 7, divers first retrieved the body of a girl before discovering two more bodies at the same site, raising concerns among residents over possible negligence and site safety lapses.

Questions have since been raised over the management and securing of the site, prompting police investigations.

In a statement yesterday, ZRP national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of four Harare City council officials, Engineer Tapiwa Richard Kunyadini (58), Moses Dicko (57), Thomas Rwakatiwana (52) and Tineyi Chihwai (41) for negligently causing the death of the three victims through their action of omission and commission leading to the tragic incident,” he said.

Comm Nyathi added that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are continuing.

Meanwhile, police have identified the three victims as 19-year-old Saul Karakadzai, 17-year-old Talita Munda, and 34-year-old Vimbanashe Shalom Chihota, all of New Stands, Budiriro 3 Extension. Their next of kin have been informed.