adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
FIVE suspected illegal gold miners died while another one escaped with minor injuries after a disused mine they were working in collapsed in Kwekwe.The incident occurred on December 22 at around 10PM at Indarama Mine on the outskirts of the Midlands city.
The six illegal gold miners were trapped underground in a disused mine shaft when the ground gave in following heavy rains.
The victims have been identified as Majaha Mupinga, Mkhululi Sibanda, Simangaliso Mpofu, Chamunorwa Shoko and Morgen Mpofu – all of Amaveni High density suburb in Kwekwe.
According to a witness, the five together with their colleague, Enock Mbulayi, who survived the incident, sneaked into Indarama Gold Mine and started extracting gold in one of the disused mine shafts.
The witness said while they were underground, the mine collapsed and trapped them underground.
“The six men went to Indarama Mine at around 10PM where most of illegal gold panners extract gold from some of the disused mine shafts. While they were working underground, the shaft collapsed trapping all six of them.
“One of the miners, Mbulayi, who was a few metres from the ground, cried out for help and was rescued by other gold miners who were working in nearby shafts. He managed to escape with minor injuries,” he said.
“The other five died before they could be retrieved. Their bodies were retrieved the following day after police were informed and taken to Kwekwe District Hospital.”
Police could neither deny nor confirm the incident.
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said he was yet to get a report on the matter.
“I wasn’t around the whole of last week; I’d gone for Christmas holiday. I’ll furnish you with details once I make a follow up with the responsible stations,” he said.
Online Reporter