Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
TRAGEDY struck a Rusape family last week when a one-year-four-month-old toddler drowned in a neighbour’s unprotected fishing pond in Vengere suburb.
The toddler only identified as Mile was playing outside their house with other children in the Garikai Section of Vengere when he wandered off unnoticed to a neighbouring house’s fish pond.
His body was found floating in the pond about 30 minutes after he left his granny’s house.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Jowert Kamera confirmed the incident, but said he did not have finer details of the case.
The house where the fish pond is located lacks fencing or precast wall, leaving the pond exposed. The boy’s granny only identified as Mbuya Mlambo, said the family is deeply devastated by the loss of the innocent child in such a painful manner.
The baby was laid to rest at Silverbow Cemetery during the weekend.
Mbuya Mlambo, who is based in South Africa, and was visiting Rusape for the holidays, said her daughter, Samantha, had visited her with Mile when the incident happened.
Despite the tragedy, Mbuya Mlambo said they are living in harmony with their neighbour, Mr Ngoni Chikuni, and are treating the incident as a natural accident.
“I am based in South Africa, and my daughter, Samantha, who lives in Mabvazuwa suburb, had brought her son, Mile, to visit me since we don’t see each other often. After about 30 minutes of playing outside with other children, we were alerted that a baby was floating in our neighbour’s fish pond. We rushed out and discovered, to our horror, that it was my grandson. We are still unsure how he slipped away from the other children and ended up in the pond alone. By the time we arrived, Tadiwa Chikuni, a Form 4 learner from the neighbouring house, had already retrieved Mile from the water. Those who touched him claimed that his pulse was still functioning. A Good Samaritan provided transport to a private hospital, where we were informed that the baby had passed away,” said Mbuya Mblambo.
She added: “Mile’s mother, Samantha, was deeply affected and is in immense pain. Losing a child is never easy, and it is difficult to accept. We leave everything to God. I don’t blame anyone, as everything happens according to God’s plan. I am still on good terms with my neighbour.”
Following the incident, Mr Chikuni he has stopped fish farming and closed the pond, as he is traumatised by the tragic case.
“I was away at work, and don’t have all the details about what happened that day. My neighbours are better informed. To be honest, I am still traumatised by the incident. Despite the tragedy, our neighbourhood relationships remain unchanged and cordial. In fact, my neighbours have been sympathetic towards me. I never envisioned that my fish farming project would lead to such a devastating consequence. As a result, I have stopped fish farming, emptied the pond, and filled it with soil,” said Mr Chikuni.
Mr Daniel Banda, who rushed the baby to a private hospital, recalled: “We didn’t have time to check if the child was still alive at the scene. Our priority was getting him to the hospital as quickly as possible. From what we could see, it was unclear if he was alive or not,” he said adding that he dropped the family off at the hospital and left, leaving the medical staff to assess the child’s condition.
Rusape Town Council public relations officer, Mr Lloyd Makumana said commercial activities on residential properties must be registered and regulated by the local authority.
He emphasised that fish farming is not permitted in residential areas.
“These are illegal activities we are combating as a council. No resident should conduct commercial activities at their home without a development permit. This ensures that all developments are regulated and safety-checked, as in this case. Fish pond farming is not allowed in urban land use,” said Mr Makumana.
