FOUR mine workers employed at Esikhoveni Mine in Esigodini,
Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South are feared dead after the shaft they
were working in caved in a disused mineshaft.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning. National police
spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were investigating
the cause of the accident while rescue efforts are underway.
He identified the mine workers as Tapiwa Moyo (41),
Dumisani Sibanda (43), Andrea Malunga (73) and Ashton Swilimba (86).
When the Chronicle news crew visited the mine yesterday,
rescue teams were busy trying to open the mine shaft as they searched for the
missing men.
Esikhoveni Mine plant manager Mr Vasel Mpofu said the four
workers were feared dead given the time it had taken to rescue them.
“This incident occurred yesterday (Tuesday) at about 7.30AM
and we are still to rescue them,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said the workers reported for duty at 6.30AM and
started working in the shed which then caved in a disused mineshaft which was
not known until the incident.
He said the shed which caved in has been used by workers
since 2001 when the mine started operating.
Mr Mpofu said the disused mine shaft was not even shown on
the mine’s map and they suspected it could have been used by miners who
operated the mine decades ago.
He said after the shed cave in the shaft, they swiftly
informed the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, police and local Civil
Protection Unit members who attended the scene.
He said rescue efforts started immediately but by end of
day yesterday they had not found the missing workers.
At the site was Mrs Getrude Ndlovu who said her brother was
among the four trapped employees. “This is very traumatising. I’m so saddened
by this, my brother is among the four trapped workers,” she said. Chronicle
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