Chitungwiza- Municipal workers in Chitungwiza made a grim discovery recently, finding the body of an infant inside a sewer manhole in the Zengeza 5 suburb, prompting a police investigation and an urgent appeal from city officials.

The discovery was made during a routine sewer deblocking exercise near the intersection of Mutowe and Msasa streets. The Chitungwiza Municipality confirmed the incident in a public statement, stating that its maintenance team found the body in an enclosed manhole.

Senior municipal officials, including Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Rosaria Mangoma, Deputy Mayor Councillor Eddmore Muringa, and Acting Town Clerk Mr. Japson Nemuseso, immediately visited the scene following the discovery.

“The matter has since been handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for full investigations,” the municipality stated.

No further details regarding the identity of the infant or the circumstances leading to the death were immediately released.

In their statement, municipal authorities expressed their “deepest condolences over this heartbreaking incident.”

While the police investigation is underway, the municipality confirmed that sewer maintenance work in the area is continuing as part of efforts to address chronic blockages.

Officials seized the moment to issue a stern reminder to residents, urging them to refrain from disposing of foreign objects into the sewer system.

Items such as sand, diapers, and spoons were cited as major contributors to blockages that disrupt service delivery and require municipal intervention.

The Chitungwiza Municipality also stated that, out of respect and in adherence to ethical standards, no images of the deceased would be shared with the public.