Bulawayo – A three‑year‑old girl, Keila Nkomo, died on 28 November after falling into a water‑filled Blair toilet pit while playing near her neighbour’s outdoor latrine in the Cowdray Park suburb of Bulawayo.
According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Msebele Nomalanga, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. when Keila was playing with a nine‑year‑old friend. “She suddenly slipped and fell into the toilet pit approximately 2.5 metres deep, half full with water,” Nomalanga said. The other child alerted Keila’s 22‑year‑old aunt, who pulled the toddler out and attempted first aid, but the child had already drowned. Her body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post‑mortem examination.
Police have urged parents and guardians to increase supervision of young children, especially during the rainy season when household pits, wells and makeshift sanitation structures can quickly become hazardous. Cowdray Park, one of Bulawayo’s fastest‑growing suburbs, continues to face challenges with inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and similar drownings have occurred in recent years. Authorities stress the importance of securing outdoor toilets and keeping children away from uncovered water‑filled pits.