Gweru City Council employees suffocate

TWO Gweru City Council (GCC) workers tragically lost their lives after suffocating from toxic gases while attempting to unblock a sewer manhole in Athlone suburb. The workers were not equipped with adequate safety gear for the hazardous task. One of the deceased workers was pregnant, while a third colleague is recovering in hospital after surviving the ordeal.

GCC’s public relations officer, Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee, confirmed the incident.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the tragic loss of two Gweru City Council employees who passed away while on duty in Athlone. The incident occurred when they were working on a manhole, and sadly, they succumbed to gas suffocation,” she said.

Ms Chingwaramusee extended condolences to the bereaved families and emphasised the local authority’s commitment to ensuring the safety of both employees and residents. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased.

“We are taking this incident very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation to prevent a recurrence,” she added.

She further stated that the council values its workforce and will work to strengthen safety measures in light of the tragedy.

“We prioritise the safety of our workers and residents. In response to this incident, we will investigate thoroughly and implement necessary measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future,” she said.

However, the GCC workers committee chairperson, Mr Bhekiwe Jongwe, expressed concerns over the lack of adequate safety provisions for employees.

“The safety standards were simply not enough. The workers were not equipped with the necessary protective gear to handle the task,” he stated.

Mr Jongwe also noted that the task was assigned to employees without the appropriate grade, suggesting they undertook the work out of dedication despite the risks involved.

Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director, Mr Cornelia Selipiwe, echoed these sentiments, questioning the city council’s commitment to safeguarding its workers.

“This is a very sad situation, and it’s not the first time Gweru City Council employees have died on duty. Previously, we lost three other employees in similar circumstances,” he said.

Mr Selipiwe urged the council to prioritise the safety of its workforce by providing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“There should be standard safety protocols in place, especially for workers entering sewer lines, which are known to contain hazardous gases. The tragic loss of two dedicated employees while clearing a sewer blockage — an essential service for public health — highlights the urgent need for robust safety measures,” he said.