adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
TWO illegal miners died on the spot while one was injured at Jeelong Mine in West Nicholson yesterday morning after being run over by their colleague’s vehicle while fleeing police.
The three illegal miners, commonly known as otsheketsha, were loading gold ore from the disused mine onto a truck they hired around 2AM.
While loading, police officers who were on patrol arrived at the scene and the truck driver, Memory Ndlovu of Phakama suburb in Gwanda Town, drove off at high speed resulting in him knocking down his three colleagues who were loading the gold ore into the lorry.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya confirmed the incident.
“I confirm that two miners died on the spot after being hit by a lorry when they were running away from the police,” he said. “The lorry driver tried to drive away while the lights were off and in the process hit the three miners. One of them was injured and sustained a fractured left leg.” He identified the injured miner as Duminkosi Mlilo, 22, of Vokola area in Filabusi.
Mlilo is admitted to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where his condition is said to be stable.
“The lorry driver was arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations,” said Asst Insp Ngwenya. He said the names of the two deceased miners could not be immediately released as their next of kin were yet to be informed.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the two bodies were at Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
Online Reporter