Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE magistrate has said that the death of three people, who drowned in an uncovered sewage pit which was left uncovered and abandoned for FIVE months by City of Harare employees, was an act of NEGLIGENCE.
The tragedy occured in Budiriro.
Regional magistrate Musaiona Shotgame’s remarks, denied bail to three City of Harare employees, who were arrested in connection with the tragedy, are the first shots were fired as the tragedy plays out in court.
He said, in the event the three are convicted, they face the possibility of lengthy jail terms.
The magistrate yesterday ruled that the three men accused should remain in custody, citing the seriousness of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Moses Dicko (57), Tinei Chihwai (41) and Thomas Rwakatiwana (52) are facing three counts of culpable homicide.
They allegedly left an unsecured sewage pit open for several months, resulting in three people drowning. The City of Harare is also cited in the matter and is being represented by Engineer Richard Tapiwa Kunyadini, the head of Harare Water, under a council resolution dated June 12, 2026.
Dicko serves as Superintendent for Region 3 Zone 4, which covers Budiriro, Glen View, Mufakose and Marimba.
Chihwai is a Plumber Class One, while Rwakatiwana is a Works Foreman.
However, Dicko, Chihwai and Rwakatiwana are being charged in their personal capacities as they were directly responsible for operations at the site, the court heard.
The State alleges that the accused failed to take reasonable measures to prevent members of the public from accessing the excavation, resulting in the fatal drownings.
In denying bail, Magistrate Shotgame said the alleged conduct was deeply concerning, noting that the pit was located in a residential area where members of the public were exposed to danger.
“This was an act of negligence,” he said, adding that abandoning the pit and leaving it uncovered for about five months, raised serious concerns.
The magistrate also noted that the matter involved the loss of three lives and was, therefore, of significant public interest.
“The offence is serious and attracts a lengthy sentence. The application is dismissed,” he ruled.
The three men were remanded in custody to June 29, pending the finalisation of investigations.
Prosecutor Ethel Mahachi told the court that the accused, who are all employees of the City of Harare, allegedly dug a sewage manhole in February this year to clear a sewer blockage in Budiriro 3.
The excavation measured approximately five metres in length, three metres in width and 3.5 metres in depth.
According to the State, the accused failed to secure or barricade the pit, thereby exposing residents to danger.
The prosecution alleges that Saul Karakadzai, Talits Munda and Vimbainashe Chihota later fell into the water-filled excavation and drowned.
