New ZIANA
GWERU—A local lecturer and a security guard have become instant heroes in the high-density suburb of Ascot in Gweru after they rescued two toddlers who had fallen into an eight-metre-deep water-filled well.
Residents are singing the praises for Tinashe John, a lecturer at Mtapa Vocational Training Centre, and Andrew Chipato, a Fawcett Security Officer, for their quick-thinking and heroic actions that saved the lives of two toddlers – aged one-year-six months and one-year-five-months.
The incident unfolded when two young children, were playing near a well.
According to reports, the unattended toddlers ventured onto loosely placed zinc roofing sheets covering the well, which gave in, sending both children plummeting into the eight-meter deep well.
A grade 7 student from Muwunga Primary School in Ascot, returning from a local shop, witnessed the terrifying accident and immediately alerted the children’s parents.
Overcome with panic, the parents raced toward the well.
Nomore Mutare, the mother of the one-year-six-month-old, expressed her profound gratitude.
“It felt like a nightmare. When the boy from next door raised the alarm, I ran to the well in a frenzy, ready to do anything to save my child. Seeing my state of panic, some people stopped me from jumping into the well myself.
“It was then that Mr. John volunteered to go in, while our land lord, Mr. Chipato, assisted in pulling him back out. May God bless them and grant them long lives.”
Mutare added that after being pulled from the well, her child vomited water, while the other toddler’s condition appeared more critical.
Patson Moyo, the father of the other toddler, echoed Mutare’s sentiments, emphasising the immeasurable debt owed to the rescuers.
“No man can repay such a gesture; only God can,” he stated. He also expressed his dismay at the well owner’s apparent lack of concern and cooperation in the aftermath of the incident.
“My child was rushed to the hospital, where the nurses reassured us that thankfully, the water hadn’t caused any significant harm,” Moyo said.
Tinashe John, the lecturer who bravely descended into the well, humbly reflected on his actions.
“To this day, I don’t understand where the courage, strength, and wisdom to help save those lives with such speed and precision came from. I can only thank God for everything,” he said.
Local Councillor Jackos Manyanga confirmed the incident and stated that he had already spoken to the well owner.
“Yes, this happened on Saturday. We have instructed the owner of the well to secure it properly, like other wells in the area. I am monitoring his compliance.
I am also planning a meeting between the affected families and the well owner, as there appear to be some tensions following the incident,” said the councillor.
