Man dies in unbarricaded council pit in Masvingo

Local government incompetence just claimed a life in the most preventable way possible. Peter Pauro died Friday after dropping into a massive hole that Masvingo City Council employees left exposed in Mucheke suburb. Residents are furious because the crew carved out the trench along Zimuto Road and walked away without installing barriers.

Town Engineer Kudzaishe Mbetu shrugged off responsibility while alleging the victim abused substances and dove into the water intentionally. He insisted that warning drums sat near the edge, but witnesses confirmed the site lacked any safety measures until after emergency teams retrieved the body.

Ward representative Sabina Chikwangwani admitted she heard about the tragedy but had not visited the spot yet. She noted that open ditches litter the neighborhood since management pleads poverty whenever asked to fill them. Continuous neglect has turned the area into a minefield for locals.

Neighbors like Lainah Matare and Tatenda Mativenga described the situation as ridiculous. They mentioned that thick grass hides these traps, posing severe risks to children playing nearby. The community demands that the municipality cover the pits before someone else gets hurt.