Online Reporter
THE GRIM TALE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS GOLD MINE IN ZIM
Robson Sharuko H-Metro Editor
BOTHA Gold Mine in the Kitsiyatota area in Bindura has turned into a settlement of death, which is now probably the most dangerous mining area in the country.
On Monday, the Government revealed shocking statistics that 71 people have died at the mining settlement since last year.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland Central, Christopher Magomo, revealed on Monday that 71 people have lost their lives at Kitsiyatota Mine in Bindura since the beginning of last year.
This means that, on average, five people have been dying at the mining settlement every month since the beginning of last year.
And, in keeping with the trend, seven artisinal miners lost their lives at the same mining settlement last month.
The new year opened in the same grim fashion in which last year closed its doors.
Kitsiyatota Mine ended up with about 64 deaths last year alone.
Min Magomo raised concern over the dangers and criminal activities at the mining site and the scores of deaths have been attributed to accidental deaths and murders.
Min Magomo said Kitsiyatota has been turned into a haven for various vices, including murder and rape and there are fears there could be a cholera outbreak at the settlement.
“Over 3 000 workers at the site are struggling with inadequate sanitation facilities. We want them to rectify all safety protocols mandated by law.
“The site hosts large numbers of people, yet there are no toilets,” he said.
A few weeks ago, seven artisinal miners died when a mineshaft collapsed in the area.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns the public against conducting mining activities at illegal shafts and disused mine sites as the current incessant rains have made the ground wet and prone to collapse and mine trappings,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said at the time of the accident.
The seven lives were lost in a mine shaft located in a restricted area within the site.
The tragedy came just a few weeks after the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development issued a ban on the Kitsiyatota mining site because of a number of irregularities.
These include unsafe mining practices and insufficient distances between mine shafts.
KITSIYATOTA MINE – A TIMELINE OF DEATHS
January 2022
Human remains were discovered inside an abandoned mine shaft by some gold panners.
March 2022
A leader of a machete-wielding gang, which attacked detectives who were trying to rescue some mine workers who had been kidnapped, was shot and killed by police at the mine.
Claudius Tavazera, 21, led a group of 30 machete-wielding illegal miners who attacked the police.
May 2024
A suspected gold ore thief was beaten to death at the mining settlement.
