Thupeyo Muleya
A BEITBRIDGE father is being accused of dumping his young daughter into a disused borehole and leaving her to die, but in a remarkable turn of events, the child survived six days underground before being rescued.
The girl was reportedly trapped about 12 metres below the ground in the borehole at Tongwe Village, Ward 4, Beitbridge East, under Headman Foromela’s area.
She was rescued on Monday morning, having allegedly spent six days without food or water.
Logs and tree branches that had been thrown into the borehole by community members long ago reportedly prevented her from falling further underground.
The shocking incident has left villagers traumatised, with the girl now 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 homestead 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 condition.
Chief Tshitaudze of Beitbridge confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as disturbing and urging families to seek the assistance of traditional leaders when facing challenges.
“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 alleged that the girl had been subjected to unfair treatment at home, where she reportedly slept separately in a makeshift shelter built from plastic sheets and other materials.
They further alleged that she was not treated with the same affection and care as her three siblings.
Local social worker Mrs Babongile Gora, who is part of the team assisting the victim, said the priority was now her recovery.
“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.”
