Thupeyo Muleya [email protected]
BEITBRIDGE East villagers have been left shaken after a father allegedly dumped his 16 year old daughter in a disused well and left her to die.
Fortunately, she survived and was rescued on Monday morning after six days.
She was reportedly rescued after spending six days in the disused well which is about 12 metres in depth. She was prevented from falling further underground by some logs and tree twigs that had been thrown into the disused well by community members a long time ago.
The incident happened in Tongwe Village, Ward 4, Beitbridge East, under Headman Foromela’s area, where the community is still struggling to come to terms with what happened.
The girl, whose name is being withheld because she is a minor, reportedly endured several days trapped without food or water. She is currently admitted to Beitbridge District Hospital, where she is receiving medical attention.
A police source close to the investigations said officers were yet to locate the child’s parents after finding 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 child’s medical condition.
Chief Tshitaudze of Beitbridge confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as disturbing and calling 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. What happened to that child is worrying, and we hope the matter will be resolved soon,” he said.
“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 criticised 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 constructed from plastic sheeting 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.”
