THE recent drowning incidents in Zimbabwe have shocked the nation, revealing serious flaws in child protection systems and community safety measures. A tragic event in Gokwe, where four children were swept away by a flash flood while sleeping under a bridge, underscores our collective failure to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that the incident occurred at around 3:30am when about 20 people from an apostolic church sought shelter from the rain under Tare Bridge. As the rain intensified upstream, a sudden surge of floodwater swept in, tragically drowning four young children. This is one of many child drowning incidents, a crisis that has seen many children die, especially this rainy season. World Health Organisation statistics indicate that drowning claims over 236 000 lives globally each year, with children particularly vulnerable. Zimbabwe's situation mirrors this global challenge, necessitating a robust approach to prevention.
These incidents reflect broader systemic challenges in child protection across Zimbabwe. ZRP Assistant Inspector Effort Chapoto of Mashonaland West recently noted "an increase in drowning cases" while emphasising that "more measures need to be taken to avoid such incidents." This observation signifies a growing concern among law enforcement and child protection advocates about the safety of young people during the rainy season.
The fundamental issue at the heart of these tragedies is the glaring gap in child supervision and safety measures. While we acknowledge the challenges faced by many Zimbabwean families, where economic pressures often force parents to juggle multiple responsibilities, we cannot afford to compromise on our children's safety. The Children's Act (Chapter 5:06) clearly stipulates the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure the safety and well-being of children under their care. Traditional leaders have voiced concern about the accessibility of dangerous water bodies to children. As one community leader in Goromonzi stated: "On the surface, there is a lot of floating weeds, but the depth behind the dam wall is deceptive. Children swim there and drown." Such testimonies emphasise the need for improved safety infrastructure and community awareness. Yet, time and again, we witness preventable deaths as children venture unsupervised into dangerous water bodies.
Zimbabwe's Environmental Management Act and Public Health Act have provisions that can be better utilised to enforce safety measures around water bodies. Local authorities possess the legal authority to implement protective measures, yet many dangerous areas remain unfenced and unmarked. A Goromonzi resident's suggestion that "we need a fence or concrete barrier with razor wire to prevent children from accessing the water" reflects the community's understanding of practical solutions that align with these legal frameworks.
The solution requires a collaborative approach involving schools, community leaders and local authorities. Education plays a pivotal role in prevention. The Primary and Secondary Education ministry should incorporate comprehensive water safety education into the curriculum. This should not be limited to theoretical knowledge but should include practical survival skills and risk awareness. The Civil Protection Unit's mandate, as defined in the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06), should be expanded to include regular community outreach programmes focusing on water safety.
Community police forums should increase patrols around known dangerous water spots, particularly during the rainy season. Local authorities must prioritise the installation of safety barriers and warning signs at hazardous water bodies. Traditional leaders, who hold significant influence in our communities, must be empowered to enforce local by-laws regarding child safety near water bodies. The recent tragic incidents in Gokwe and Goromonzi demonstrate how local knowledge about dangerous water spots needs to be better communicated and enforced through community leadership structures. As noted by child protection specialist Martha Mutisi, "Community vigilance and collective responsibility are essential components of effective child protection systems." Aaron Gono, Civil Protection Unit Tsholotsho district chairperson, also stressed the importance of community involvement, noting that "local disaster risk reduction structures have been effective in disseminating information." However, these efforts require substantial reinforcement through co-ordinated action between government agencies, local authorities and community organisations.
Parents and guardians bear a primary responsibility for child safety, but community support systems are equally crucial. ZRP community policing initiatives should be expanded to include regular safety awareness campaigns. Their recent involvement in recovery efforts, while commendable, should be complemented by stronger preventive measures.
However, the implementation of these measures requires sustained funding and political will. Local authorities must allocate adequate resources for safety infrastructure, while national government agencies should provide technical support and oversight.
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The Civil Protection Act provides a legal basis for such interventions, but its effectiveness depends on proper resource allocation and co-ordination among stakeholders.
Furthermore, we must strengthen our legal framework to hold accountable those who neglect their duty of care. While we sympathise with bereaved families, there must be clear consequences for negligence that leads to child drowning.
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act should be reviewed to include specific provisions addressing child endangerment through negligent supervision. We cannot afford to lose more young lives to preventable drowning incidents. Every stakeholder, from parents to policymakers, from teachers to traditional leaders, must play their part in creating a safer environment for our children. The right to life and safety, enshrined in the Constitution, must be zealously protected, especially for our most vulnerable citizens. Let these recent tragic events serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in how we approach child safety in Zimbabwe. Our children's lives depend on it.
