Langa Mabena
A KADOMA man died while trying to save his workmates, who had been trapped in a sewer manhole.
Godfrey Kawocho, who was employed by Kadoma City Council, died due to suffocation. Kadoma city was two weeks ago engulfed in tragedy following the death of Godfrey who was trapped in a council sewer manhole.
Kawocho was trying to save fellow workmates — Julius Simoko and Cassim Saidi — who had also entered the same structure while on duty. The trio comprising Kawocho, Simoko and Cassim was deployed to work on a main manhole near Rimuka Stadium.
After they tried to find a way into the manhole, Simoko is suspected to have succumbed to toxic gases that had accumulated in the long unused service facility. Simoko could not redeem himself from the task at hand, resulting in Kawocho going to assist him.
In his effort, Kawocho was also suspected to have been affected by the toxic emissions and could not get back to the surface leading to his demise. After the incident, Simoko and Cassim were admitted at Queen Mary Private Hospital and have since been discharged.
Kawocho’s family was deeply saddened by the loss. Younger brother and family spokesperson Tonderai Gomo said they are shocked by the death of their loved one.
“I received the news and never thought it was him. I quickly thought it is his brother Godknows who may have been struck by tragedy in South Africa where he works. When I confirmed that it was Godfrey, I could not believe it. Up to now, we are finding it hard to believe this in the manner it happened,” he said.
He added: “He wanted to work for his family and have assets to himself. He was talking of having a plot and run projects there.”
Council officials were ducking questions over the death as mayor, Nigel Ruzario, and chamber secretary, Willard Mangwengwende could not proffer any comprehensive explanations.
Town clerk, Malvin Dondo was unreachable. City health director said he was on official leave when reached for a comment, yet he was physically reached at Rimuka cemetery during the burial of Kawocho on August 19.
No official medical post mortem report on the cause of death was availed at the time of writing. Kawocho left behind a wife, Virginia Kanyepi-Kawocho and five children. (H-Metro)
Online Reporter