A FEMALE security guard at Hwange Colliery Company died at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo on Friday last week a day after she was attacked by a rogue elephant while at her workstation.
The woman, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was attacked while guarding a mobile crane which had broken down at the coal mine.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.
“I confirm the incident, it happened on Thursday. The lady was taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital, and later transferred to Mpilo Hospital,” Farawo said.
Solidarity Mine Workers Union secretary-general Prince Mpala expressed concern over the security guards’ working conditions.
“My main concern is that these security guards are working without full protection for their safety at the workplace. The mines they are guarding around Hwange have a risk of being attacked by the wild animals,” Mpala said.
He proposed the establishment of an accident fund and provision of weapons for the workers around the coal mining area as they are vulnerable to attacks by animals.
“We represent the workers, and we are saying they should be protected by all means, that is, they should have weapons they should fire, should they come across dangerous animals, that way, they run away,” Mpala said. He added that the security guards should not work alone in such places.
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