Harare, Zimbabwe – A tragic incident at St. Anne’s Primary School in Harare has resulted in the death of a 3-year-old child by drowning. The fatality occurred after an Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher reportedly left the children under her supervision unattended.
Martha Karota Rice appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on charges of culpable homicide. She was not asked to plead, and the case has been postponed to June 6, 2025.
The State, represented by Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on June 3, 2024, at the school located at 03 Waverly Close, Sentosa, Mabelreign, Harare, Rice was responsible for an ECD A and B class comprising eight pupils. At approximately 11:30 AM, Rice reportedly left seven of these pupils unsupervised while she entered the school building.
It is further alleged that a gate leading to an open school swimming pool was also left unsecured. The prosecution contends that as a direct consequence of this negligence, one of the pupils fell into the swimming pool and subsequently drowned.