Harare Woman Sues City Council Over Uncovered Drain Injury, Seeks US$24,000 Damages

A 33-year-old Harare resident has taken legal action against the City of Harare, demanding more than US$24,000 in damages after falling into an unmarked drainage pit near Mabelreign Shopping Centre. Leocardia Ngonidzashe Mandiwa filed a summons at the Harare Civil Magistrates Court, accusing the local authority of negligence and failure to secure a hazardous drainage opening that allegedly caused her serious injuries.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on 30 June 2025, shortly after Mandiwa disembarked from a commuter omnibus while travelling from Harare’s central business district. She reportedly fell into an uncovered drain measuring approximately 1.8 metres deep.

“There were no barricades surrounding the drain, and there were also no danger warning signs to alert road users of the hazard,” Mandiwa said in her court filing.

She sustained multiple injuries, including fractured ribs, and continues to experience severe pain. Passersby reportedly rescued her from the drain following the incident.

Mandiwa, a professional hairdresser, says the injuries have had a lasting impact on her life and livelihood. She claims she is no longer able to engage in physical activities and has struggled to return to full-time work.

In her lawsuit, she is seeking US$24,593 in damages, covering pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income, and diminished quality of life. Her legal representatives, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, argue that the City of Harare breached its duty of care by failing to secure the drainage site or provide adequate warnings to pedestrians.

“The local authority had a responsibility to ensure public infrastructure is safe for use,” a legal expert said. “Failure to barricade or mark a hazard of this nature can constitute negligence.”

Mandiwa further claims she lost income over a six-month period when she was unable to work, including earnings from her hairdressing business and associated rental income. Urban infrastructure analysts say cases involving open drains and unmarked hazards are not uncommon in Zimbabwe’s cities, where ageing infrastructure and limited maintenance budgets often create risks for residents.

“Municipalities are under pressure financially, but that does not remove their obligation to maintain safe public spaces,” said a Harare-based urban planning expert. “Simple measures like signage and barricades can prevent serious injuries.”

The case highlights growing scrutiny of urban service delivery in Harare, where residents have frequently raised concerns over road conditions, drainage systems, and public safety. The matter is currently pending before the court, with a ruling expected to test the extent of local authorities’ liability in cases involving public infrastructure hazards.

Harare drain injury lawsuit