Vusumuzi Dube
Jean Sigauke, Sunday News Reporter
A 35-year-old man employed at Nkomazana Mine in Matobo District was crushed to death by a boulder that fell into a mine shaft he was working in.
Officer commanding Plumtree District, Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube confirmed the incident noting that investigations were being conducted by the police alongside the Mines Ministry to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death of the miner.
“On 27 December at around 5pm, the now deceased Raphael Ngwenya (35) was in the company of his two brothers, Talent Ndlovu (29) and Prince Ndlovu (18) all from Macini village in Kezi, when they proceeded to Nkomazana Mine where they were employed as miners.
“The trio then entered one of the shafts at the mine with the intention to mine with the deceased the first to enter while the two followed behind.
When they were approximately 20 metres down a loose stone boulder suddenly fell and hit the now deceased on the head and chest crushing him to death,” said Chief Supt Ncube.
The other two managed to escape without any injuries.
A report was made and the body of the deceased was retrieved with the help of fellow mine workers where it was positively identified and taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter