Chronicle EditorRutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Correspondent
EVERY death has sadness laced to it, especially when that moment is a reminder of a national tragedy.
Tomorrow marks 50 years since the Kamandama Mine disaster which remains a sad chapter in the history of Hwange Colliery Company where 427 miners lost their lives. What has remained painful is that though the orphans might have grown up now, up to date it left surviving spouses with emotional scars that even time has failed to heal.
The disaster remains the worst mine disaster in the country’s history and every June 6, commemorations are held to honour the 427 miners who perished in 1972 at the Colliery’s Kamandama Mine Disaster.
A Golf Tournament was held yesterday before the commemorations to raise funds towards the cause of the surviving families, after it was not held in 2020 due to Covid-19. The Wankie coal mine disaster took place on 6 June 1972 when a series of underground explosions occurred at the Wankie No.2 colliery.
Historical records established that the accident was caused by an underground methane dust explosion and despite several attempts to rescue workers, the fatality of the disaster was such that the mine shaft had to be sealed off.
Eight men were pulled alive from the mine after the initial explosions. Two new explosions on 7 June poured clouds of poisonous gas into the 4,8KMs of tunnels, making further rescue attempts impossible.
On June, 9 1972 the then general manager of the Wankie Colliery, Gordon Livingstone-Blevins, decided to leave the 424 bodies where they were. Three bodies had been recovered after the initial explosions.
What remains a fact though is that while some tragedies tear people apart, the Kamandama disaster brought the Colliery community together. This is evident every year when the Hwange Colliery Company, community and nation joins the surviving spouses and children of the mine disaster victims in commemorating the Kamandama day.
Hwange Colliery Company Public Relations Manager Dr Beauty Mutombe confirmed tomorrow’s commemorations.
“Just like all years we are going to commemorate the Kamandama Day at the usual venue (shrine). We will be hosting a golf tournament as well tomorrow (Saturday) to fundraise towards the cause as you might have seen on the sports news.”
Online Reporter