By Cathy Mwauyakufa
HARARE – A peaceful afternoon in Harare Gardens turned deadly over the weekend when a swarm of bees descended on parkgoers, killing two people, including a well-known homeless man and a pregnant woman.
The victims were identified by locals as Mr. Liberty, a homeless man who often slept near the National Art Gallery, and a pregnant woman, whose name has been withheld pending family notification.
Their deaths have sparked anger and grief across the community, with the Trafalgar Court Residents Committee blaming the City of Harare for a delayed and inadequate response.
“The bee colony remains active, threatening residents, pedestrians, and visitors… Further delays risk more fatalities,” said the Residents Committee in a statement released Sunday.
The committee accused the city’s Pest and Insect Control Team of failing to remove the swarm in time — a failure they say cost lives and continues to pose a threat, particularly to vulnerable groups, including the homeless, children, and the elderly.
In response, City of Harare Spokesman Stanley Gama issued a public statement on Monday, confirming that one person died before emergency teams arrived.
Stanley Gama
He said the swarm had settled in a tree stump within the park and described the event as an “isolated incident” involving a transient bee colony.
“The swarm has since been professionally removed… Harare Gardens has been inspected and declared safe,” said Gama.
He extended the City’s condolences to the bereaved families and assured residents that no permanent bee colonies are maintained in public parks.
However, Mr. Gama also disputed claims that the city team lacked protective clothing or delayed action.
Residents and park visitors who had interacted with Mr. Liberty described him as soft-spoken, a familiar figure who often greeted people or quietly sat near garden benches.
“He never bothered anyone. He was part of this place,” said a vendor who works nearby. “It hurts that he died like this, alone and in pain.”
The death of the pregnant woman, who was reportedly visiting the area at the time of the attack, adds to the tragedy.
Community members say her loss represents a double tragedy, with both her life and that of her unborn child cut short.
The Trafalgar Residents Committee is now calling for urgent review of safety procedures in public parks. Their concerns include lack of early warning systems and delayed emergency interventions for environmental hazards like bee swarms.
“We want faster response, routine inspections, and better coordination. These were preventable deaths,” the Committee’s Secretary General said.
In the aftermath of the incident, makeshift memorials with flowers and candles have begun appearing around Harare Gardens, where many residents are reflecting not only on the tragedy — but on the invisibility of the city’s most vulnerable.
The City of Harare has pledged to increase monitoring of green spaces and is encouraging residents to immediately report any bee colonies or environmental risks.
While Harare Gardens has officially reopened to the public, the sting of this tragedy lingers — a sobering reminder of what can happen when systems fail the people they are meant to protect.
Feedback: cathymwauyakufa@gmail.com.
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