Another death at Happy Valley Mine

Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter

A 26-year-old man was found dead in a mine shaft at Happy Valley Mine and suspicion is that he slipped and fell into the shaft while on his way to his cabin.

The incident is believed to have happened two weeks ago. Thulani Machisa from Gokwe was a worker at Happy Valley Mine located in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.

He said Machisa and his brother had received their salaries and knocked off. Machisa’s brother then went to town while he remained at the shops drinking beer. 

The following day his brother came back but could not find him. He asked around  about his whereabouts but no one seemed to know.

“After two days, the mine workers began to be worried about Machisa’s absence as they prepared to go back to work. They suspected that something wrong had happened to the now deceased as his bags and clothes were still in the cabin. 

“It was only when one of the workers went to the mine that he discovered the now deceased’s body and alerted others leading to a report being made to the police,” said Insp Ncube.

According to locals who stay close to the mine but declined to be named, Machisa was drunk when they last saw him and they suspected that he might have slipped and fell into the mine shaft. 

Some, however, believe he could have been a victim of a revenge attack, where he was attacked and thrown into the shaft although his body showed no signs of any physical attack when it was retrieved. He had only head injuries. 

Insp Ncube urged members of the public particularly those involved in mining to take safety precautions seriously as there was high risk involved in their work. 

“It is unfortunate that lives are lost in situations that are avoidable. We urge those that work in mines to take safety precautions seriously,” said Insp Ncube.

Happy Valley Mine has been under the spotlight as bloody fights continue where illegal miners are allegedly deployed to disturb mining operations and attack whoever they find on the premises. 

Sometime in February, a 30-year-old man was killed and found with toes missing at the mine and calls have grown louder for authorities to intervene and ensure more lives are not lost in the ensuing mine ownership wrangle.