Arron Nyamayaro
Police have urged parents and guardians to keep children away from water bodies after a child drowned in Ruwa on Wednesday.
The child drowned at Dabuka Dam while swimming with other children.
Police said the children had been playing near Fairview shops before going to the dam.
Harare acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Faith Mapisa said a motorist had gone to the dam to wash his vehicle, accompanied by six children. While there, the victim and two other children went swimming and he drowned moments later.
Mapisa urged parents and guardians to closely supervise children during the current hot weather and to prevent them from visiting water bodies.
Police also expressed concern over the death of three-year-old Ropafadzo Mangwanya in Solani, Epworth.
Ropafadzo was playing with other toddlers on Wednesday when she jumped onto a rusty sheet covering a disused well shaft, which was about 20 metres deep.
Neighbour Tafara Chideve, 26, went into the well to try and rescue her but lost consciousness and became trapped.
His older brother, Tinotenda Chideve, poured four buckets of water into the well and used a pick to remove a concrete slab around its opening to improve airflow.
He then went into the shaft, secured by a rope around his waist, and managed to bring Tafara out.
Tafara regained consciousness.
“Police are investigating two sudden death cases involving minor children in Ruwa and Epworth.
“We continue to urge parents and guardians to closely monitor their children to avoid visiting water bodies during this hot weather conditions,” said Ass-Insp Mapisa.
