adminPatrick Chitumba
Midlands Bureau Chief
TWO artisanal gold miners died on Tuesday after a shaft they were working in collapsed at Treasure 8 Mine in Silobela in Midlands.
Nkulumani Ndlovu (24) and Julius Mabute (28), both from Zhombe were removing gold ore from the shaft when it collapsed.
Their colleagues, Agreement Khumalo and Melody Zhou, who were receiving the ore above the shaft, escaped unhurt.
Midlands province police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said Khumalo and Zhou heard an unusual sound coming from underground as they were waiting for the gold ore and discovered that the shaft had collapsed.
“Khumalo and Zhou called for help after whichj the bodies of Ndlovu and Mabute were retrieved from the shaft,” he said.
In a separate incident, Insp Goko said police have arrested Charles Magombo (25) from Redcliff for allegedly knocking down a toddler aged one year and six months that was playing near the road.
Magombo, who was driving a Toyota omnibus without a licence, when he allegedly hit the toddler who was playing near the road.
“The incident happened when the toddler was playing near the road. Magombo’s omnibus allegedly went off the road and hit the child. The child was dragged under the vehicle for some distance and the driver didn’t stop,” said Insp Goko.
He said Magombo was later caught by residents who handed him over to the police.
Insp Goko said Magombo is expected to appear in court soon.
Online Reporter