Featherstone, Zimbabwe – A tragic accident claimed the life of a 10-year-old child on June 27, 2025, after an ox-drawn scotch cart overturned along a remote rural road in Featherstone. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have confirmed the incident and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal mishap.
According to a statement released by police, the cart was being controlled by a 15-year-old boy when it struck a tree and overturned. One passenger, the 10-year-old victim, was on board at the time of the accident. The impact threw the young passenger from the cart, causing severe head injuries.
Despite the community’s efforts to save the child, they were pronounced dead upon arrival at Chivhu General Hospital. Authorities have withheld the name and gender of the deceased pending formal identification and notification of the family.
Initial reports suggest the scotch cart was being used for a routine local journey when the accident occurred. The dusty rural track where the cart was traveling is known to be narrow and uneven, with little to no infrastructure to ensure safe passage for ox-drawn vehicles. Witnesses say the oxen may have veered off track, leading the cart into a tree before it tipped over.
Police investigators are still working to determine the precise cause of the accident. However, early indications point to a lack of supervision and experience as contributing factors.
In their official statement, the ZRP reminded members of the public—particularly in rural areas—of the dangers of allowing underage individuals to handle livestock or operate traditional transport systems without proper training and adult oversight.
“We urge parents and guardians to exercise caution and ensure that children are not left in charge of ox-drawn carts or other potentially dangerous tasks. While such modes of transport are common in rural communities, they require mature judgment and strength to control,” the police statement read.
10-Year-Old Child Killed in Ox-Drawn Cart Accident
The accident has triggered a wave of grief across the close-knit Featherstone community. Residents have expressed sorrow over the loss of such a young life and raised concern about the widespread use of child labor in rural transportation activities.
“This is a painful tragedy,” said a local village elder who declined to be named. “In many households, older children help with domestic duties, including taking cattle to the fields or transporting goods with carts. But without adult supervision, it can quickly turn deadly, as we’ve now seen.”
Community leaders are now calling for increased awareness campaigns and educational outreach to rural families about the dangers associated with unsupervised animal-drawn transport, especially when minors are involved. They are also advocating for stricter enforcement of existing child safety regulations in rural settings.
Experts say that while scotch carts remain a vital mode of transport in many parts of rural Zimbabwe—often used for ferrying firewood, water, and farm produce—the risks they pose are often underestimated. A single misstep by the oxen, poor road conditions, or a lack of control by the handler can easily result in life-threatening accidents.
Dr. Simbarashe Moyo, a rural development researcher, said the incident highlights a broader issue of infrastructure gaps and the need for rural mobility reforms. “This tragedy underscores the importance of investing in safer, more regulated forms of rural transport. Communities should also receive training and resources to help protect children from taking on roles that endanger their lives.”
As the Featherstone community mourns the untimely death of one of its young members, local authorities and social workers are expected to visit the affected family to offer support. A memorial service is likely to be held after the family completes formal identification and burial arrangements.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that their investigation remains active and that appropriate measures will be taken if any criminal negligence is established.
The death of the 10-year-old has reignited national conversations around child safety in rural Zimbabwe, particularly the responsibilities placed on children in households where resources are stretched thin.
As the community grapples with grief, one message rings clear: more must be done to protect Zimbabwe’s rural children from avoidable tragedies.
