Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge East villagers have been left shaken after a father allegedly dumped his daughter in a disused borehole and left her to die.
Fortunately, she survived and was rescued from 12 metres underground on Monday morning after six days.
Some logs and tree twigs that had been thrown into the borehole by community members a long time ago saved her from sinking deeper into the borehole.
The incident happened in Tongwe Village, Ward 4, Beitbridge East, under Headman Foromela’s area.
The girl, who cannot be named because she is a minor, reportedly endured six days trapped without food or water.
She is currently admitted at Beitbridge District Hospital, where she is receiving medical attention.
A police source close to the investigations said officers are yet to locate the child’s parents after they found their home deserted.
“Investigations are ongoing as we follow leads to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said the source.
The motive behind the alleged dumping is yet to be established. Beitbridge District Medical Officer Dr Lenos Samhere was not readily available to comment on the medical condition of the child.
Chief Tshitaudze of Beitbridge confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as disturbing, and called on families to always make use of traditional leaders whenever they have issues.
“This is disturbing, and we are calling on all community members to be their neighbour’s keeper,” he said.
“What happened to that child is worrying, and we hope the matter will be resolved soon. We await further police investigations into the matter.
“ We don’t condone such behaviour by parents. Now the child is traumatised and fragile. In fact, the community is still shaken by this incident.”
Community members who spoke anonymously lambasted the state of affairs at the victim’s homestead, where she was allegedly subjected to unfair treatment within the family and made to sleep separately in a makeshift shelter reportedly built from plastic and other materials.
They further alleged that the child was not treated with the same affection and care as her three siblings.
A local social worker who is part of the team assisting the victim, Mrs Babongile Gora, said the focus must now be on healing.
“This child has endured severe trauma. Beyond her physical survival, we must focus on her emotional and psychological healing,” she said.
“Children in such situations need consistent, trauma-informed care, community support and protection from stigma and re-traumatisation.
“We are working with health, police and other stakeholders to ensure her best interests come first. Recovery will take time. We appeal to the community to support not expose her. Let us give her time to heal.”
