Source: Budiriro tragedy: Council trio denied bail – herald
City of Harare workers – Moses Dicko (57) (second left), Tinei Chihwai (41) and Thomas Rwakatiwana (52) (right) – are facing three counts of culpable homicide after they allegedly left an unsecured sewage excavation open for several months, resulting in three people drowning. – Picture: Lee Maidza.Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
THREE City of Harare employees accused of negligence leading to the death of three people in Budiriro 3 have been denied bail by a Harare regional magistrate.
Harare Regional Magistrate Mr Musaiona Shotgame on Monday ruled that the accused should remain in custody, citing the seriousness of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Moses Dicko (57), Tinei Chihwai (41) and Thomas Rwakatiwana (52) are facing three counts of culpable homicide after allegedly leaving an unsecured sewage excavation open for several months, resulting in three people drowning.
In denying bail, Magistrate Shotgame said the alleged conduct was deeply concerning, noting that the pit was located in a residential area where members of the public were exposed to danger.
“This was an act of negligence,” he said, adding that abandoning the pit uncovered for about five months raised serious concerns.
The magistrate also noted that the matter involved the loss of three lives and was therefore of significant public interest.
“The offence is serious and attracts a lengthy sentence. The application is dismissed,” he ruled. The three men were remanded in custody to June 29 pending the finalisation of investigations.
Prosecutor Ms Ethel Mahachi told the court that the accused, who are employees of the City of Harare, allegedly dug a sewage manhole in February this year to clear a sewer blockage in Budiriro 3.
The excavation reportedly measured approximately five metres in length, three metres in width and 3.5 metres in depth.
According to the State, the accused failed to secure or barricade the pit, thereby exposing residents to danger.
The prosecution alleges that Saul Karakadzai, Talits Munda and Vimbainashe Chihota later fell into the water-filled excavation and drowned.
The City of Harare is also cited in the matter and is being represented by Engineer Richard Tapiwa Kunyadini, the head of Harare Water, under a council resolution dated June 12, 2026.
Dicko serves as Superintendent for Region 3 Zone 4, which covers Budiriro, Glen View, Mufakose and Marimba. Chihwai is a Plumber Class One, while Rwakatiwana is a Works Foreman.
However, Dicko, Chihwai and Rwakatiwana are being charged in their personal capacities as they were directly responsible for operations at the site, the court heard.
The State alleges that the accused failed to take reasonable measures to prevent members of the public from accessing the excavation, resulting in the fatal drownings.
COMMENTS