By Elvis Dumba
Banket – A woman related to the former police boss, Senior Assistant Commissioner, and spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena died in a mine accident in Banket.
Persuade Chambara died on 15 January 2023 after the ground she was walking on suddenly collapsed, trapping her underground at a mine where run by her husband through a syndicate.
Bvudzijena and the victim’s late father are brothers.
The victim’s body was retrieved after a six-day search. It was in a decomposing state. Bvudzijena and hundreds of volunteers embarked on the search operation.
Witnesses who spoke to this publication at the small-scale mine located about 15 km from Banket said the victim was walking towards a tent to shelter herself from rain showers when the ground suddenly gave in, trapping her underground.
“She was coming from trying to ensure that water from the rains stop flowing towards the mine. She decided to shelter herself in a tent as the rains were just starting and whilst she was walking, the ground she was on suddenly gave in and she was trapped underground,” said one witness only identified as Abraham.
“We heard a large noise and rushed to the scene and saw that a hole had been created. We were told that she was standing at the exact point. Some jumped in, in an attempt to try to rescue her but the ground continued collapsing. The people had to jump out. We called for help and a JCB tried to scoop out the soil but the ground continued giving in and it had to stop” he said.
A report was made at Banket Police Station and at the Ministry of Mines in Chinhoyi. Personnel from both institutions attended the scene.
The search continued for six days with Muriel Mine donating its excavator to help in the search. Her decomposing body was found on the sixth day. It was taken to Banket District Hospital Mortuary and the woman was later buried at Banket Cemetery.
It was discovered that the ground that suddenly opened was a yesteryear German mine shaft that was closed and covered. It was reported that vehicles used to park at the spot before the tragic incident.
Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the police are concerned with increased mine accidents.
“We are concerned with increased incidents of mine accidents. We urge mine proprietors to take necessary measures to improve occupational safety, health and environmental management,” he said.
In Zvishavane, 38-year-old Tichaona Sithole died on 24 January 2023 at Altena 51 Mine after he fell on a rocky surface after slipping from a bucket which was being used to lower him down the mine shaft whilst two artisanal miners at Juno K29 Mine in Chakari, 24-year-old Anesu Tinotenda and Jeremia Mutuda died on 23 January 2023 after an underground mine shaft they were working on collapsed resulting in the victims being trapped.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said investigations are continuing.