Harare Gardens Reopens After Fatal Bee Attack — City Says Park Safe

Harare Gardens has reopened after a fatal bee attack that killed one person, with city officials assuring safety following the swarm’s removal (image source)

The City of Harare has reopened Harare Gardens after removing a swarm of bees that killed one person in the park on Sunday evening, officials confirmed as patrons returned under an assurance of safety from municipal authorities. City Health’s Environmental Health Pest Control Section said the swarm had taken shelter in a tree stump inside the gardens and that emergency teams were alerted only after the attack that led to a single fatality. Witnesses described scenes of panic as visitors fled the area while others attempted to assist the victim before emergency services arrived.

A park regular who watched the emergency response said visitors were initially unaware of the hive until multiple people began to be stung; only then did the frantic scramble for the exits begin. At least one eyewitness filmed parts of the incident, footage later shared on social platforms and local video channels, showing crowds dispersing and emergency crews entering the park. Market vendors near the gardens reported seeing ambulances arrive and heard that the injured person, described locally as elderly, succumbed before or shortly after being taken to hospital.

A Harare-based entomologist explained that African honeybee colonies can become highly defensive if their nest is disturbed or if environmental stressors, such as drier conditions or habitat loss, force swarms into unusual urban locations. The specialist recommended systematic mapping of known colonies in public green spaces, seasonal awareness campaigns for park users, and ready access to antivenom or rapid medical response for severe anaphylaxis cases. The expert warned that removal must be performed by trained technicians to avoid provoking further aggression.

City statements emphasise that trained teams “professionally removed” the swarm and that affected areas were cleared, but eyewitnesses questioned response times and communication. Why did a lethal attack occur in a high-traffic public space, and were routine inspections of trees and stumps being carried out as part of park maintenance? The apparent discovery of the colony in a tree stump raises further questions about how long the hive had been present and whether routine arboricultural checks were sufficient.

Officials said the park is safe and urged normal use, while committing to stepped-up monitoring. Local health watchdogs and civic groups pressed for a public timeline of the removal operation, disclosure of who carried out the extermination or relocation, and confirmation that follow-up checks will be routine. They also want the city to publish guidance on what visitors should do if they encounter bees and to ensure first-aid readiness at busy parks.

Urban green spaces are vital for city life, but lethal wildlife incidents expose gaps in urban wildlife management and emergency readiness. Full transparency on the facts, routine preventive maintenance and clear public guidance will determine whether Harare Gardens remains a safe public asset or a recurring hazard.