By Correspondent
Council workers have demanded an independent investigation into the deaths of Harare Council workers accusing the authority of pointless statements.
In a statement by the Secretary General of Local Authority Progressive Workers Union of Zimbabwe, Andrisson Manyere, it says it is deeply outraged and gravely concerned by the continued loss of lives.
“In the space of days, we have lost colleagues at Firle Sewage Treatment Works and Morton Jaffray Water Works.
“These tragedies are not isolated incidents, but part of a worsening pattern that points to chronic negligence, unsafe working conditions, and systemic failures within council operations.
In all this the organisation said Harare Council has not done much.
“While the City of Harare issues statements, workers continue to operate in hazardous, ill-equipped, and poorly supervised environments.
“As LAPWUZ, we refuse to normalize these needless deaths.
Demands for Investigation
In response to these deaths the organisation has listed demands which should be met by HCC.
“Today, we demand a full, independent investigation into the circumstances leading to these fatalities.
“Immediate enforcement of occupational health and safety standards across all council departments.
“Provision of proper equipment, protective clothing, and emergency protocols for all employees.
“Transparent reporting to workers, unions, and the public not token statements after tragedy has already struck.
“Accountability for any managerial or systemic lapses that contributed to these deaths.
Disturbing Deaths
Three Harare employees died in late November in a workplace incident at the Morton Jaffray Water Works near Norton.
In a brief statement, Council said the trio had entered a decommissioned water clarifier “when tragedy struck.”
It gave no details on the cause of death, saying an investigation was underway.
The incident came barely three months after two City of Harare employees died while on duty at the municipality’s Glen View sewer treatment plant.
It is suspected exposure to hydrogen sulfide a highly poisonous gas caused the fatalities.
In confined spaces, the gas can paralyse the lungs within minutes.
In November 2024, two council workers in Gweru’s Athlone suburb also suffocated after entering a manhole filled with noxious gases.
