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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
TWO people died after a disused mineshaft they were working in collapsed in Penhalonga recently.
The bodies were retrieved after a rescue operation that included officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Betterbrands Mining Company and artisanal miners.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the incident.
He said the bodies of Sylvester Kativhu (43) and Obert Chihwa (37) were retrieved last week on Tuesday following the intervention of Government and private companies.
“On August 16, Kativhu and Chihwa were in the company of Fungai Sithole and Resmond Mutsikwi at a disused mine when they decided to enter into the disused shaft. Sithole remained outside on guard.
“Upon entering the eight-metre deep mineshaft, the tunnel walls collapsed and trapped them inside. Sithole called for help and Mutsikwi was retrieved.
“However, the team failed to locate Kativhu and Chihwa, and a police report was made at Penhalonga Police Station. The police attended the scene,” said nspector Muzondo.
Police alerted the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and officials from the ministry also attended the scene.
“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development teamed up with Betterbrands Company’s rescue team to try and rescue the trapped artisanal miners. Other artisanal miners also joined in the rescue mission.
“However, the deceased’s bodies were retrieved six days later, that is on August 22,” said Inspector Muzondo.
The bodies were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.
Chief Mutasa, traditional healers and villagers had performed traditional rituals that were meant to guide the rescue teams at the scene.
Chihwa and Kativhu’s bodies were retrieved shortly afterwards.
In a joint statement released by Zivai Community Empowerment Trust, Penhalonga Youth Development Trust and Penhalonga Residents and Ratepayers Trust, residents expressed concern over the deaths of artisanal miners in the area.
“Many deaths are being recorded due to the collapsing of mineshafts in this area, and this has become a cause for concern,” the statement reads.
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