Two 11-year-olds die in abandoned pit in Bulawayo

Two 11-year-old girls have drowned in a water-filled pit allegedly left by illegal sand poachers in Pumula, Bulawayo, prompting renewed calls for authorities to crack down on the practice.

The children were found in an open excavation site in a bushy area near their homes in Ward 17. Residents say the pit is one of many abandoned holes that fill with rainwater and become deadly traps during the wet season.

Community members say they have repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by illegal sand poaching, which has scarred large sections of the neighbourhood.

“This is a devastating incident. These children lived on the same street and went to school together,” said local resident Priscilla Bhero.

“There are many pits in this area and they are all filled with water. This is not the first time we have lost children in this manner. We need serious intervention and stiffer punishment for those responsible.”

A neighbourhood watch committee member, Sibangani Mpofu, said the girls were part of a group of children playing near the pits when the tragedy occurred.

“The boys were swimming in one pit while the girls were in another. The younger children noticed the two girls were no longer resurfacing and alerted a 15-year-old boy who was nearby. He pulled them out, but they were already dead,” Mpofu said.

Residents say illegal sand poaching continues despite the existence of designated sand-collection sites elsewhere in the city.

“There are legal places where pit sand can be collected, such as near Luveve Cemetery and St Mary’s,” said Michael Maseko, a resident.

“What is happening here is illegal. This is not the first time we have lost children, but nothing has changed.”

Ward 17 BPRA chairperson Elias Nyathi accused council rangers of failing to enforce environmental protection laws.

“We have held numerous meetings trying to engage rangers to arrest sand poachers, but we have not succeeded,” he said.

“They arrest people for other activities but ignore sand poaching, which is killing our children.”

BPRA vice-chairperson Nothando Ndiweni said communities must unite to push out illegal sand poachers.

“We are heartbroken. This happens every year. We say no to sand poaching. As a community we must take a firmer stand,” she said.

Ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said council was working to address the problem.

“Covering these pits will take time, but I am engaging engineers to see how they can assist,” she said.

“I have also raised the issue of demanding receipts to show where pit sand is obtained, but implementation is still pending.

“For now, I urge parents and guardians to ensure children do not play in bushy areas where they risk losing their lives.”

Police have not yet commented on the incident.

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