Norton Miners Association through their Chairperson Mr. Privelage Moyo and Mrs. Phyllis Vhitirunyu chairperson of Great Dyke Women in Mining co-operative yesterday donated food and manpower for rescue operations at Task Mine Syndicate in Chegutu to retrieve miners who were trapped underground last month.
Rudairo Dickson Mapuranga
Speaking to the media after the donation, Moyo encouraged other miners to rally behind each other during times of crisis.
Moyo said it was important for the whole industry to come together and support the rescue team at the mine who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the miners are retrieved.
“As miners, we need to look after each other more in times like these. Family members of those trapped matter too, hence the donations to look after them while as a country we hope for the retrieval of the bodies. The rescue team on the ground are Heroes, they also need support from the entire spectrum of our industry because they are giving it all and hope to the families.” Moyo said.
It is nearly over a month and a half now since five miners “Task Five” were trapped underground at Task Mining Syndicate in Chegutu.
Constantino Dzinoreva (47), Charles Mutume (31), Crynos Nyamukanga (44) Shingai Gwatidzo (20) and a minor Munashe Christian (17) were trapped underground at the mine on the 8th of September 2020. There are fears that the mine could be their grave if the cabinet bans rescue mission at the mine.
Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and body which falls under the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has not stopped the rescue mission at Task Mining Syndicate as has earlier alluded but awaits cabinet decision on the way forward.
Chegutu District Development Coordinator, Tariro Tomu earlier written a letter to Task Mining Syndicate management suggested that rescue operations were proven to be unsuccessful therefore should be stopped with immediate effect. The Ministry of Mines and CPU however, rubbished Tomu’s letter stating the letter was written in confidence and only Cabinet had the power to stop the operations.
