Chronicle EditorFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Two Shurugwi artisanal miners are feared dead after a mine shaft collapsed. The incident occurred last Friday afternoon at Bonsa Mine. The two have been identified as Clemence Musaigwa (36) and Arnold Guzhura (39). By yesterday police and officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development were still searching for the duo. Midlands provincial mines director, Mr Malcolm Mazemo, confirmed the incident.
“Our inspectorate team is still on the ground since the incident was reported. The missing persons are yet to be found,” he said. According to a witness, Mr Samson Guruzhira, the two were underground together with four others searching for gold when the shaft collapsed. Guruzhira said he was waiting for his turn to enter the mine shaft when he saw some of his colleagues stampeding to get out of the mine.
“We later realised that two of our colleagues had been trapped and tried to rescue them. We made a report to the police upon realising that the rubble had completely sealed the shaft,” he said. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation spokesperson, Mr Dosman Mangisi, described the incident as unfortunate. He urged artisanal miners to always adhere to safety measures before embarking on their mining activities.
“It is a sad development. We have always emphasised safety when ever mining activities are being conducted. Now that the rainy season is upon us, miners especially artisanal miners, should make sure that the mines they are working under are safe.
“They should make sure that these mines and their shafts have roof support. They should also make sure that they put on safety regalia so that in case of emergency, life can be saved,” he said. Acting police spokesperson for Midlands province, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said she was yet to get a report from Shurugwi.
Online Reporter