City Of Harare Sued For US$24,000 Over Open Drain That Left Woman With Broken Ribs

A 33-year-old Harare resident, Leocardia Ngonidzashe Mandiwa, is seeking more than US$24,000 in compensation from the City of Harare after suffering severe injuries when she fell into an open drainage pit.

Mandiwa, a hairdresser, fell into an uncovered and unmarked drain about 1.8 metres deep on 30 June 2025. The incident happened after she got off a commuter omnibus at the Mabelreign Shopping Centre bus stop while returning from work in Harare’s central business district.

According to summons filed at the Harare Civil Magistrates Court, Mandiwa sustained three broken ribs on her right side, including a permanent fracture, and continues to experience severe pain. She told the court that there were no barricades or warning signs around the drain to alert pedestrians to the hazard.

She said the drain was unmarked and invisible, and that she had to be pulled out by passers-by.

Mandiwa, a former fitness enthusiast, can no longer exercise because of her injuries. She argues that the City of Harare was negligent and breached its duty of care to road users by leaving the drain open and uncovered, failing to barricade it, and failing to put up warning signs.

Mandiwa, who is represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, holds the local authority responsible for creating a dangerous situation and failing to guard against foreseeable harm.

She is claiming a total of US$24,593 from the City of Harare. This comprises US$5,000 for pain and suffering, US$5,000 for permanent disfigurement, US$4,000 for future medical expenses, US$5,000 for loss of amenities of life, US$1,237 for medical expenses, US$2,700 for loss of income and US$1,656 for unutilised rentals.

After the accident, Mandiwa was unable to work for six months. She had paid US$1,656 in rent for business premises but could not use them while hospitalised. She also lost US$2,700 in income from her work as a hairdresser between June and December 2025.

Mandiwa contends that the City of Harare has a statutory duty of care to protect the public by covering drains, erecting warning signs and providing lighting. She argues that the council breached that duty by negligently leaving the access point exposed and failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable harm.

She is the latest in a series of residents to sue the City of Harare for damages over alleged gross negligence by council employees.

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