Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL from Dangamvura, Mutare, drowned after falling into a large water-filled plastic container.
The tragic incident has shocked the local community.
Manicaland provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Monday night.
“The incident happened around 2100 hours in Pegasus, Dangamvura, where a seven-year-old juvenile, Grace Selma Chirukamari, drowned in a large plastic container filled with water,” he said.
Ass Insp Chinyoka said the child had been playing outside the house, with a one-year-old infant, while her mother, Tendayi Tachi (32), was indoors at the time.
“It is reported that the children were playing outside while the mother was inside the house. The children were not being supervised at the time,” he said.
He said the tragedy only came to light when the mother went outside and found out that Grace had fallen into the container.
“The mother later came out of the house and found the child submerged in the water container.
“She immediately raised alarm and sought help,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
The child was rushed to a private hospital at Mukwena Business Centre in Dangamvura, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police attended the scene and recorded a sudden death case at Dangamvura Police Station.
The body was later taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.
Ass Insp Chinyoka said preliminary indications suggest that the child may have accidentally slipped into the container while playing.
“We suspect that she accidentally fell into the container.
“Children at that age are naturally playful and require constant supervision, especially around water storage containers,” he said.
He urged parents and guardians to exercise caution and ensure that water containers are properly secured.
“We continue to urge parents to always cover or secure water containers. Even a short lapse in supervision can result in tragedy,” he warned.
He added that most household accidents, involving children, are preventable if safety measures are observed.
“Many of these incidents can be avoided. Parents must always know where their children are and ensure that potentially dangerous items like large containers are not accessible.”
Ass Insp Chinyoka also confirmed a second incident, where Edmore Taringa (48) died along Mutare River in Penhalonga while bathing.
“It is confirmed that on 15 May, 2026, at around 1600 hours, the deceased, Edmore Taringa, was bathing with Tawanda Chirara along Mutare River in Penhalonga,” he said.
“While bathing, the now deceased indicated that he wanted to swim.
“He then dived into the dam, which is suspected to be deep, and subsequently sank.”
Chirara attempted to rescue his friend but was unsuccessful.
“Chirara tried to search for his friend but could not locate him at the scene,” he said.
“Police attended the scene after the report was made, but the body could not be located at that time.
“On 18 May 2026 around 1900 hours, the deceased’s brother reported that the body had been found floating in the dam and had already been retrieved.
“Officers attended and observed no visible injuries on the body. It was then conveyed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.”
