Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A 39-YEAR-OLD artisanal miner died after a 25-metre-deep mine shaft collapsed while he was panning for gold near Redwing Mine in Penhalonga.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident.
He identified the deceased as David Gweredza of Chikwava Village under Chief Marange.
He said Gweredza was trapped underground when a tunnel collapsed while he and a colleague were conducting illegal gold panning activities.
Asst-Insp Chinyoka said the tragic incident occurred on March 12 at around 10am when Gweredza and his friend, Rodney Mukamba (29) of Makara Village, also under Chief Marange, entered the mine shaft in search of gold.
“On March 12 at around 1000 hours, police in Penhalonga attended a sudden death by trapping case at Tsapauta near Redwing Mine.
“The now deceased and his colleague had entered a 25-metre-deep mine shaft to conduct gold panning activities when the tunnel collapsed,” he said.
According to Asst-Insp Chinyoka, Mukamba managed to escape unharmed when the tunnel caved in, while Gweredza was trapped beneath tonnes of soil and debris.
