Government has released the names of the 24 miners who
perished in the Battlefields disaster as search efforts continue to account for
at least four others reportedly trapped in another shaft.
This comes as search teams have indicated that there may
not be any more miners than the 32 already accounted for in the remaining shaft
at Jongwe Cooperative Mine contrary to earlier estimates that put the number at
over 50.
Police released the names of the deceased as Thulani
Sibanda (18) of Mbizo, Kwekwe, John Mufakose (29) of Gore village, Gokwe,
Norman Billion (39) of Kadoma, Andrew Mharadze (26) of Mharadze village, Gokwe,
Tinashe Shanda (22) of Mashinyira village, Gokwe, Givemore Munyengeri (42) of Plot
22 Silvermoon, Battlefields, Trynos Zindonye (31) of Hamandishe village, Gokwe,
Clever Takaendesa (47) of Shurugwi, Tafadzwa Mubaiwa (22) Gonde village, Gokwe,
Tinei Tembo (31) Plot 47 Silvermoon, Battlefields, Charles Jacob (25) of Jacopo
village, Murehwa and David Martin (38) of Kadoma.
Others include Jabulani Moyo of Village 12A Donnain,
Battlefields, Josias Muzadzi (45) of village, Zhombe, Liberty Koke (26) of
Village 9A, Gokwe, Augustine Chindoza (39) Chizembo Village, Bikita, Wellington
Kwari of Whaley Range Etina Mine, Kadoma, Takanda Mushore (27), Kwekwe, Tobias
Takaendesa, Kadoma, Winston Muziribo (22) of Makombe Village, Gokwe, Mayana
Bvunzawabaya (27) Gore Village, Gokwe, Misheck Ncube (30) Kapoto Village,
Mudzi, Keith Muderedzi (31) Village 10, Kadoma and Eborn Kaseke (24) Matarutse
of Marondera.
The 24 were trapped when the shafts they were working were
flooded by water following a heavy storm on Tuesday last week.
This comes as Government has indicated that it was winding
up search operations at Jongwe Cooperative Mine in Battlefields where eight
miners were found alive and 24 bodies were recovered.
Operations have been shifted to Cricket Number 3 Mine where
water levels are still high and the shaft is reportedly deeper.
At least four miners are reportedly trapped underground in
the shaft which was the first to be flooded before the seven other shafts.
Government has managed to match the names of 32 miners on
the register and those rescued alive and bodies retrieved.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing
Minister July Moyo toured Jongwe and Cricket Number 3 Cooperative mines where
he gave Government’s assurance to relatives that effort would continue until
every missing person has been accounted for.
“We are here to say to the relatives of the victims that do
not lose hope because Government has committed itself through the declaration
by President Mnangagwa of a State of Disaster and we will support the search
effort to the end,” said Minister Moyo.
“We will continue to visit you. Tomorrow (today) we are
going to brief the President at Cabinet and we want to do it from an informed
position.”
Indications are that search teams have combed all work
stations underground in the last shaft and have concluded that chances of
finding more bodies were slim.
Minister Moyo dispelled claims that Government reacted
slowly to manage the disaster saying such claims emanated from failure to
understand the structure of Government.
“Whenever there is a disaster of this magnitude the
President calls for a state of emergence or state of disaster.
“The arms of Government’s Civil Protection Unit led by the
district administrator including the police at local level are activated.
Government’s involvement does not start when the minister arrives at the
scene,” said Minister Moyo.
“There are four bodies said to be trapped underground and
we want to assure everyone that all Government departments will not leave until
all bodies have been rescued or retrieved.”
He said Government’s disaster preparedness was high but
they always came in different forms.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said
an assessment of the mine would be made before operations could resume. Herald
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