Buhera Boy (7) Drowns in Well While Watching Over Crops — Village in Tears
A Buhera family has been left shattered after a seven-year-old boy drowned in a deep well while watching over garden crops with a friend — a tragedy that has rocked Muzirikazi Village under Chief Nyashanhu.
The incident occurred on October 10 around 2pm, when Sydney Chivandire attempted to cross the well on a log and slipped, plunging into the water.
Sydney had been in the garden with his nine-year-old friend, Marshall Munyavhe, when disaster struck.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident.
“Chivandire attempted to cross a deep well using a log placed across it, but unfortunately he slipped and fell into the well,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Marshall ran to alert Munyavhe Kurudzeni (45), who rushed to the scene and managed to retrieve the boy’s lifeless body.
Police from Muzokomba attended the scene, and the body was transported to Birchenough Bridge Hospital for a post-mortem.
Just a day later, another drowning was reported in Odzi, compounding grief across Manicaland Province.
On October 11 around 10am, the body of 69-year-old Hapanamambo Panganai was found floating in Odzi River.
Panganai, of Riverside Farm, had left home on October 9 to collect tomatoes from Mawone Village and was reportedly intoxicated when he departed.
When he failed to return, his nephew Morris Taruvinga began searching for him the following day but found no trace.
On October 11, a villager named Tapiwanashe Chikukwa spotted a body floating in the river and informed his parents, who then alerted Taruvinga.
Upon arriving at the scene, Taruvinga identified the body as his missing uncle.
Police have since urged residents to take extra precautions around open water sources, especially in rural communities where such hazards are common.
“We urge communities to take water safety seriously following these tragic drownings.
“Children must be kept away from open wells and rivers, and adults should avoid crossing water bodies while intoxicated,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The ManicaPost reported that both incidents have sparked renewed concern over water safety and the urgent need for community awareness and preventive measures.
With two lives lost in as many days, the tragedies have left families grieving and communities reflecting on how such heartbreak can be prevented.
