The Sunday Mail
A 12-year-old boy drowned in a rainwater-filled pit in Waterfalls while trying to swim with friends last Friday.
The pit had been dug by suspected sand poachers who supply the product to some residential property developers.
It is understood the boy —whose identity is being withheld to protect his surviving friends – failed to make it out of the deep pool as he could not swim.
His two colleagues, aged 11 and 12, swam to safety.
The 12-year-old’s body was only retrieved from the pool by the police sub-aqua unit yesterday morning while scores of shocked residents watched.
Police Assistant Inspector Albertina Nyamutsambira attended the scene and blamed sand poachers for the tragedy.
“Housing co-operatives (members) are digging such pits and not refilling them. In December, we retrieved the body of another minor from a pit in this area,” she said.
Harare Provincial Affairs Minister Miriam Chikukwa said, “We are saddened by this death and appeal to parents not to let their children swim in ponds.
“I will work with the police in identifying companies that are digging these pits. Not children alone are at risk; even adults are. These co-operatives should be responsible.”
