Man Dies After Falling Into Open Pit Dug By Masvingo Council Workers

A man of Mozambican descent, identified as Peter Pauro, died on Friday morning after falling into a deep open pit left by Masvingo City Council workers who were repairing a blocked water line along Zimuto Road in the R Section of Mucheke high-density suburb.

Angry residents accused the council’s Engineering Department of negligence, saying workers dug trenches and pits around the city and left them open and unbarricaded.

They questioned how a pit estimated to be about two metres long and nearly three metres deep could be left exposed along a residential road without any warning signs or barriers.

Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa referred enquiries to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, whose office said it was still gathering information on the incident.

Masvingo Town Engineer Kudzaishe Mbetu confirmed the incident but dismissed claims that council workers were negligent.

He alleged that the deceased was a drug addict and said the man did not accidentally fall, but deliberately plunged into the water-filled pit.

Mbetu also claimed that warning drums had been placed around the pit. However, journalists from Masvingo Mirror reported that they found no barricades or warning signs at the scene when they visited. Said Mbetu:

“The City Council is not to blame, we understand that the man was a drug addict and he dived into the pit.”

Council workers only barricaded the pit after the man’s body had been recovered.

Ward 1 councillor Sabina Chikwangwani said she had received a report about the incident but had not yet visited the scene.

She added that many open pits across the ward have been left uncovered by the City Council over the years.

Chikwangwani said she had previously reported the issue to council management but was told there were no funds available to address the problem.

Several residents who spoke to Masvingo Mirror confirmed that the pit had not been barricaded before the incident.

They also said that many other open pits, left by the City Council, remain a serious safety risk in the area. Lainah Matare, a resident, said:

“I am shocked by the number of pits dug and left open by council workers here in R. Two years ago, a Grade 3 pupil fell into a pit.

“Some of the pits are now covered in grass, and they are too dangerous because people would not see them.”

Another resident, Tatenda Mativenga, said the council was responsible for the death because the pit had been left unbarricaded. He said:

“It is ridiculous that this body has been there in the open for more than 2 hours with children milling around and seeing it.

“There are many open pits around here, and we appeal to the council to attend to them.”