Four die in Mine collapse
Four miners died Friday following a mine shaft collapse at Kangela Mine in Mashonaland West.
Police confirmed the tragedy, saying the bodies have since been retrieved.
“The ZRP confirms a mine incident which occurred at Kangela Mine, D Troop area, Chikuti, Murereka on 20 October 2023 in which four people were killed when a mine shaft they were working in collapsed.
“The bodies were retrieved from the shaft by villagers and were taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital mortuary for postmortem,” police said.
The incident follows another mine accident just under a month ago in which 10 illegal miners died in a shaft collapse at Bay Horse, a disused gold mine near Chegutu town.
Mine accidents are common in Zimbabwe as thousands of men mostly in their youthful ages risk life and limb to plunge in deep tunnels in search of precious minerals.
Most of the operations are illegal and are carried out using ordinary tools such as picks and shovels.
Raids were carried out by authorities in the past but the Zanu PF-led government, realising the potential revenue and political gain from the activities, later elevated them to the status of artisanal miners but a lot continue to die with no compensation in place.
Zimlive