AUTHORITIES at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland province, are increasingly coming under pressure from civil society organisations due to deaths of artisanal miners in two separate incidents this week.
In a joint statement yesterday by the Centre for Research and Development, Zivai Community Empowerment Trust, Penhalonga Youth Development Trust and Penhalonga Residents and Ratepayers Trust, they said over 100 artisanal miners have died at the mine since 2020.
This week alone, two deaths have been reportedly recorded at the mine.
Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo said: “We are still investigating the matter.”
Mutasa South legislator Misheck Mugadza (Zanu PF) said he could not confirm the deaths, but stated that it was possible.
Mugadza was yesterday travelling to Penhalonga to assess the situation.
“Deaths have been happening, but I am not in a position to confirm the deaths. It is important for people to practice safe mining. We need a winwin situation in Penhalonga, and we don’t want our children to die.”
Sources at the mine confirmed the deaths of the miners to NewsDay Weekender.
One of the deceased who was working in a mine shaft was reportedly hit by a loose rock before his workmates tried to rescue him.
He eventually died and was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
A 16-year-old from Dorapindo allegedly died at a mine in Zaina Section after being gassed while inside a shaft.
Centre for Research and Development director James Mupfumi said government should be held responsible for the deaths.
“Government should be held responsible for the loss of lives at Redwing Mine to save the economic interests of individuals at the cost of human lives. Government is violating constitutional provisions to protect its citizens,” he said.