Sewer manhole deaths rock city
By Lovemore Chazingwa.
Two City of Kadoma employees, Tinotenda Ngwenya and Tafadzwa Guzo’s lives which were lost while working in a sewer manhole recently provoked more shock and condemnation, triggering louder calls for proactive action to effect prevention.
The deaths, coming just 103 days after the sudden demise of another council employee, Godfrey Kawocho, under similar circumstances have raised questions on the obtaining mechanism in ensuring workers’ safety in local authorities.
Impeccable sources say the latest duo to lose life is said to have been engaged by Sir John Kennedy Primary School for the task.
The school which had a public function on the following day, was forced to ensure their drainage system was flawless. They sought sewer relief services in advance.
Four individuals are reliably said to have attended to that duty, including Obert Sangurani, another council employee and Strive Mangarenja identified as an outsider.
City director of engineering services Eng. Blessing Musasira confirmed the deaths of his employees
“We have two employees who succumbed to toxic gases when trying to service a manhole near Town Cemetery behind Kadoma General Hospital.
The task, as we gather, was assigned by Sir John Kennedy Primary School. We, as council, last heard that our employees were assigned to a sewer manhole near David Whitehead Textiles complex by their supervisor, Sengweni, with their tools for a job there. He went on to drop off the others at Centenary Park next to John Mark Hall. We also heard that three of our employees, the deceased and Obert Sangurani, ganged up to attend to the school job. They engaged another person, Strive Mangarenja, a DWT contract worker, such that they were four when they went to execute that job. An identified school truck picked them near ElectroSales, CBD shop, to the manhole in question. During their call of duty that’s when tragedy struck. Tafadzwa died on the scene while Tinotenda breathed his last at Kadoma General Hospital. Strive had left the scene at the time,” said Eng. Blessing Musasira when questioned.
Town clerk Malvern Dondo weighed into the confirmation in a written public communique dated Friday, November 29, 2024.
Speaking on the phone, city health director Dr. Daniel Chirundu said he is on official leave until January 7, 2025. Dr. Chirundu referred this publication to Skha Moyo, current health head. Moyo said she could not comment opting for either the town clerk, Dondo or chamber secretary, Willard Mangwengwende to respond.
A 7 page preliminary report on the incident circulated.
Commenting on the authenticity of that report, a high ranking council official said that it was authored by the health department, contrary to voices saying it had emanated from outside council corridors.
Before the fateful events, Sir John Kennedy Primary School deputy head, madam Simbiso Rose Singe is fingered to have directly communicated
with a member of the quartet for assigning the job.
When contacted, Singe referred this publication to the school head, George Chipare who could neither confirm nor deny the school assigning the four.
“We’ve been communicating with ZRP and council. You better get in touch with them. I may not be the right person to speak to.”
Pressed on whether they engaged the employees, Chipare said, “I cannot confirm nor deny. I was not at the station on the day.”
Quizzed during the burial of Tinotenda at Rimuka Cemetery, human resources director, Fidelis Matanhire could only say, “This must come to and end,” before promising to avail a written response on the matter.
Local governance experts contacted implored council to activate a more robust introspection into the incidences and come clear on a safer workmanship roadmap.
“It’s sad to lose someone in such tragic circumstances while they are serving the public.
I’ve no details on the cited cases. They appear to be workplace accidents that may have arisen from several factors.
Perhaps the deceased may have lacked appropriate safety clothing and relevant equipment.
High concentrations of methane and hydrogen sulphide create conditions that decrease available oxygen. As such, dizziness, suffocation, and even death may occur,” said Kudzai Chatiza, researcher at Development Governance Institute.
Another expert commented: “Human resources are the most important asset in an organization. The loss of lives and this valuable resource at Kadoma City Council is both tragic and unfortunate.
It is essential for the city councillors under the leadership of the mayor, to form an ad-hoc committee to carefully examine these incidents and recommend a clear path forward for the council,” concurred local government expert Tapiwa Nyamukapa, who is also a PHD student.
“Safety precautions must be taken and all safety laid down procedures must be followed and enforced. If such safety precautions do not exist then, there is need to consider that as a local authority,” reasons Redcliff Town mayor, Shangwa Vincent Masiiwa.
Eng. Musasira said they were carrying out thorough investigations into the matter engaging relevant authorities including NSSA and ZRP.
A provincial head of investigation on the matter at national social security authority (NSSA), Tichaona Mapuru said they deployed a team on the ground which carried out its mandate and reported back.
“We found that there was no proper, adequate PPE, gas diffusion mechanisms and monitors. Manholes carry materials from various sources including kitchens which bring lots of fat. These release gases that suffocate humans . Toxic gases can be trapped inside and released when sewer material starts flowing. That further endangers the lives of deployees. We carried out an investigation on the technical side. Next we deploy a team to look into the administrative aspect of events. We will carry out training on these in councils. Our laws, Urban Councils Act and Local Government Act, are being amended as they were meant to serve a different set up as opposed to what currently obtains,” said Mapuru in a solicited telephonic interview.
TOP PIC:
During happier times, Tafadzwa Guzo, left, and Tinotenda Ngwenya outside City of Kadoma Town House.- (File photo).
