Panner dies in tunnel

Herald Reporter
A Mutoko man died after he was trapped in a tunnel while panning for gold ore along Munyukwi River last week.
Acting Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the death of Muchineripi Kaitano last Friday. “We received a report following the death of Muchineripi Kaitano of Mabhande Village in Mutoko who was trapped under a tunnel while panning for gold along Munyukwi River in Chinjeri village under Chief Nyakuchena in Mudzi,” he said.
He said the fatal incident occurred on Friday around 3pm while Kaitano was panning for gold in the company of Tawanda Nyamukondiwa (22), Ferddy Jasi (23) and Nyasha Jasi (19).

Police said Kaitano entered a tunnel measuring approximately seven metres deep to dig for more gold ore while his fellow panners were collecting the ore out of the tunnel using buckets. As Kaitano continued digging the tunnel collapsed and he got trapped inside.