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yesterday while three others were injured while on duty at Mahomed Mussa Wholesalers in Harare where they had been contracted to build a verandah at the shop.
The injured were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for treatment.
When The Herald attended the scene, scores of grief-stricken people had gathered to have a glimpse of this tragedy, including some members from the Indian community.
The police also attended the scene but it took more than five hours before the body could be retrieved from the rubble.
Several people complained over condemned buildings which were operating illegally in the city centre risking people’s lives.
“The council should do something. We have heard several reports in newspapers that most of the buildings in the city centre are in a deplorable state but they are taking too long to act,” said one of the on-lookers.
Harare police spokesman Inspector Tedius Chibanda confirmed yesterday’s accident.
“One person died on the spot while three others were injured. One of them is in a serious condition while the other two are in stable state. They are employees from Grid Construction Company and they were working on a veranda roof when it suddenly collapsed,” Insp Chibanda said.
He said the name of the deceased was still being withheld since the next of kin had not yet been informed.
“We are not yet at liberty to release the name of the deceased and the injured but we are still investigating this matter as we work hand in glove with the Safety and Health Council and National Social Security Authority,” he said.
Efforts to get comment from both the contracted company and wholesale owners were fruitless.
Last year, the Harare City Council gave owners of 10 buildings it had condemned an ultimatum of 21 days to comply with the city’s health and fire safety standards.
This development would result in more than 7 000 tenants being kicked out of the buildings.
Online Reporter