adminofficer commanding Beitbridge Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo, said Moyo’s body was discovered by other villagers last Friday afternoon.
“The now deceased had visited his in- laws in Novhe area near Zezani Business Centre.
“On 30 January, he decided to go to Umzingwane River to pan for alluvial gold.
“He found a disused shaft which was about three metres deep. Moyo removed his clothes and entered the pit.”
He said the shaft walls collapsed and buried Moyo and he died instantly.
“The issue came to light when he did not return home.
“His in-laws started searching for him until they found his clothes next to the pit on Friday afternoon and a report was then made to the police.”
He said police retrieved the body with assistance of villagers.
“The body has since been taken to Beitbridge district hospital for a postmortem.”
Chief Supt Chinhengo warned people against gold panning as they would be risking their lives.
He dismissed claims that the area had gold deposits.
There was a diamond rush recently in the area following the discovery of aqua marine in the Novhe Mountains.
Aqua marine is a low quality mineral though it is a compound of several mine- rals.
Online Reporter