Miners urged to prioritise safety during rainy season

KWEKWE District Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson, Mr Fortune Mupungu, has emphasised the importance of miners avoiding underground work during the rainy season to prevent potential work-related disasters caused by flooding.

Mr Mupungu officially reactivated the district CPU in preparation for rain-induced calamities and is urging the community to be vigilant as the country gears up for possible heavy rains, coupled with thunderstorms as predicted by the Meteorological Services Department.

This advice follows a recent tragedy in the mining town where six artisanal miners lost their lives in a mine collapse just outside the central business district. Mr Mupungu, who is also the Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator (DDC), is urging miners to be extra cautious this rainy season.

“Miners are urged to avoid working underground particularly when the soils are heavily soaked with water to avoid being trapped underground in the event of a mine collapsing,” he said.

“Mine managers are, therefore, directed to have a database of all miners at their respective mines,” Mr Mupungu said.

He also urged pupils and motorists to avoid crossing flooded rivers at all costs.

“In this respect, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is urged to cascade the information to all schools in the district. Relatedly, parents and teachers are urged to advise children to avoid swimming in stagnant pools and rivers. The district usually experiences cases of drowning by school children as well as crocodile attacks during this time of the year,” he warned.

Mr Mupungu said communities settled in flood-prone areas like river banks and low-lying areas should stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation orders if conditions worsen.

Local authorities, he said, should clear all drainage systems to avert floods. Kwekwe District has three local authorities, Kwekwe City Council, Redcliff Municipality and Zibagwe Rural District Council.

School authorities and other public institutions must equally ensure that infrastructure is well maintained to avoid the worst.

“I also urge schools to insure properties with the council in case of any disaster. Before that, however, I urge all public institutions like schools, clinics, and churches to ensure that their buildings are well maintained and are in good shape in case of any disaster,” he said.

Last week, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds left a trail of destruction in Redcliff and Silobela after blowing off roofs of classroom blocks, houses and other infrastructure.