
A 74-year-old man tragically died on Saturday, June 21, 2025, after being viciously attacked by a swarm of bees in Marondera’s central business district, Zimbabwe.
The fatal incident occurred near a streetlight pole opposite the Marondera Government Complex, where a large, undisturbed beehive had reportedly been causing concern throughout the morning. Witnesses say the bees had already shown signs of aggression, stinging several people who passed nearby.
According to onlookers, the elderly man was walking past the area when the swarm suddenly descended on him. Despite his desperate attempts to fend them off and calls for help, the bees quickly overwhelmed him. Bystanders who tried to intervene were also stung and forced to retreat.
Emergency services were immediately contacted. Responding officers and officials from the Marondera Municipality transported the victim to Marondera Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Reports indicate he had lost consciousness at the scene due to the severity of the stings.
One eyewitness, Chikwerengwe Mavishu, who also sustained stings during the incident, described the terrifying scene.
“I was close when I saw him being attacked. He was in clear distress and calling out for help. When I tried to assist, the bees came for me too. I had to retreat and call the police. Sadly, by the time they arrived, it was too late,” he said.
As emergency personnel worked to secure the area, a ZBC News crew at the scene reported witnessing another individual being attacked while attempting to flee from the same swarm.
In response, local authorities have launched an operation to safely remove the hive and eliminate the threat, urging members of the public to avoid the area until it is declared safe.
The Marondera Municipality has also issued a statement warning residents to report any known hives in public spaces and to exercise extreme caution when in the vicinity of bees.