An 11-year-old boy from Adelaide Park in Harare tragically drowned in a water-filled open pit on Sunday. Tanaka Makosa was playing with his friend when he slipped into the pit, which had been left unattended.

According to his friend, Tanaka had wanted to test the water’s depth and called out for help once before being submerged. The friend rushed to find help, but it was too late to save Tanaka.

A neighbor, Mr. Japhet Chinganga, attempted to rescue Tanaka but was unable to save him. Tanaka’s mother, Mrs. Mercy Taimo, expressed her devastation, saying she had spent the day with Tanaka and his friend before they left without her noticing.

The incident has raised concerns among Adelaide Park residents about the numerous open pits in the area, which pose a significant risk to children’s safety. Residents have called for a permanent solution to prevent similar tragedies.

The company responsible for the stone quarry, Gum Tree Mine, attributed the open pits to efforts to unclog the road during the rainy season in 2022. The manager, Mr. Brian Gwelo, expressed sadness over the incident and stated that the company is working on reclaiming the pits.