Illegal miners electrocuted

Danisa Masuku
TWO illegal miners at a closed community mine in Silobela electrocuted while working underground. A�

Moses Mboyi of Luvumbe village and Khathazile Bhebhe of Nzwananzi Village were electrocuted when a pipe burst while they were underground pumping water at Peace Mine.

Peace Mine is run by the Silobela Community Development Trust but there is a stand-off between Chief Malisa and the Trusta��s chairman Arthur Mzingeli Nkiwane that led to its closure.

a�?We rushed them to Loreto District Hospital. But Mosesa��s condition deteriorated so we had to take him to Parirenyatwa in Harare where he died two days later. Khathazile died a day later at Loreto,a�? said Nkiwane.

Chief Malisa said the two miners had no right to be there in the first place. But their situation could have been avoided had the police been firm on clamping down illegal mining activities.

a�?People from different parts of the country flock here and engage in illegal mining but the police dona��t arrest them.

They cause a lot of problems in the area when they fight for prostitutes and gold. They have brought shame to the community.A� Sadly the problem is worsening,a�? said the Chief.

Out of goodwill, the dead miners were provided with burial assistance by the Silobela Community Development Trust and the late Mosesa��s brother Mlando Mboyi thanked them.

The manager of the community Development Trust Douglas Gonde said they also assisted Khathazilea��s family with funeral expenses.