By Tendai Makaripe
Grief over the drowning of four family members at Ruti Dam has pushed people from Buhera and Gutu to demand life jackets, safer crossing points and, in the long term, a bridge to stop further loss of life.
Ruti Dam is in Buhera, near the Gutu boundary, and serves communities from both districts.
Some villagers use canoes to cross the dam to reach transport, schools, shops and other services.
The June tragedy claimed the lives of Moreblessing Zvoushe, 4; Tecla Rufu, 37; Modrick Rufu, 26; and Peacemaker Zvoushe, 15.
The four were from Rufu village under Chief Mazuru in Gutu East.
A fibreglass canoe carrying the family capsized while they were crossing from Gutu to Buhera.
The family was reportedly trying to reach Ndyarima Business Centre to catch a bus.
Searchers recovered Moreblessing’s body first.
They later retrieved the bodies of Tecla, Modrick and Peacemaker after days of searching.
Peacemaker was a Form 3 pupil at Gudza Secondary School.
“Peacemaker was a talented athlete. His death is tragic and painful, not only to his family but to the whole school community,” Gudza Secondary School head Mutingwende said.
“What makes it even more painful is that this has happened barely a year after another learner from our school drowned in the same dam last September. It is a very difficult moment for us as a school.”
Rufu village head Tavengwa Rufu said the deaths had shaken the community and should push people to act.
“These deaths deeply sadden us. This dam continues to take lives, and we cannot continue watching people die like this,” Rufu said.
“As a community, we need to come together and find a solution. Whether it is life jackets, a safer crossing point, a bridge or any other measure, people must unite so that we prevent further loss of life.”
After extensively covering the tragedy, The Children’s Voices has received calls and messages from people of Buhera and Gutu origin.
Some live in the affected areas, others are based in different parts of Zimbabwe, while some are in the diaspora.
Many said the deaths had left them heartbroken.
They said communities, local leaders and authorities must move beyond mourning and put practical safety measures in place.
Some people proposed buying life jackets for those who use canoes to cross the dam.
Others said the area needs a bridge as a long-term solution.
Commenting on Facebook, Douglas Masvosva said life jackets would provide a practical starting point.
He said the community could build a shelter near the canoe boarding point and keep the life jackets there.
“That’s a good idea,” Masvosva said. “I think where to keep them is not a problem. As a community, we can build a shelter next to where they board the canoes and put them inside so they can be accessible by anyone at any time.”
Masvosva said the community could use specific colours for the life jackets to show that they belong to the area.
He said the shelter could also protect people as they wait for safer weather before crossing.
Thomas Mashiri said life jackets would help, but he urged authorities to consider a bridge in the future.
“Sure, a life jacket is a good idea, but these need a bridge in future if possible,” Mashiri said.
Masvingise Mazuru Funuel appealed to the government to provide life jackets and said he was willing to help people cross the dam safely.
“My plea is for the government to assist us with even two life jackets,” he said. “I am willing to help people cross so that we reduce unnecessary loss of life.”
The calls have opened a wider discussion on how communities can respond to the Ruti Dam deaths.
Residents said people still need to agree on how to raise money, who would keep the funds, where they would buy life jackets, who would manage them and how they would make them available to those who need them.
Some community members have proposed opening a WhatsApp group to allow people from Buhera, Gutu, other parts of Zimbabwe and the diaspora to share ideas and agree on a transparent way forward.
Many residents said the Ruti Dam deaths should mark a turning point in how communities and authorities respond to water safety risks in the area.
“The deaths of Moreblessing, Tecla, Modrick and Peacemaker should push villagers, traditional leaders, government officials, development partners and people from the area who now live elsewhere to act,” said Buhera villager Takudzwa Nyamaropa.
They said Ruti Dam should not continue taking lives when life jackets, better coordination, safer crossing points and long-term infrastructure could help protect communities that depend on it.
