Toddler drowns in bucket of water in Bulawayo, police urge vigilance

Children can drown in as little as 3 cm of water

HARARE – A one-year-old girl has died after drowning in a bucket of water in Nketa, Bulawayo, in a tragic incident that police say highlights the dangers of leaving young children unsupervised. According to Nomalanga Msebele, the Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, the incident occurred on March 31 at around 4 pm. The toddler had been left in the care of her 11-year-old brother while their 20-year-old mother briefly went to take a bath.

“On 31 March 2026 at around 1600 hours, a female adult aged 20 years, of Nketa, Bulawayo, left the now deceased playing with her brother, a male juvenile aged 11 years of the same address, when she was going to take a bath,” said Msebele.

Police said the situation quickly turned tragic when the older sibling realised the child was in danger. Inspector Msebele said the mother heard her son shouting for help while she was in the bathroom.

“When she came out of the bathroom, the now deceased had already been taken out of the bucket,” she said.

The child was rushed to a nearby private clinic for emergency treatment, but was pronounced dead on arrival. A police report was subsequently filed.

Authorities have urged parents and guardians to exercise extreme caution, warning that everyday household containers can pose fatal risks to young children.

“Buckets, basins, bathtubs, and water storage containers should always be kept out of reach of children,” Msebele said.

Child safety experts note that toddlers can drown in very small amounts of water, often silently and within minutes.

Police stressed that young children should never be left unsupervised, even for short periods, particularly around water. The incident has sparked renewed calls for increased awareness around home safety, especially in high-density suburbs where water is often stored in open containers.

Toddler drowns in Bulawayo