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Crime Reporter 

TWO gold panners are feared dead after mine shaft walls collapsed at Olympus Mine in Mudzi.

The incident occurred at a time police had arrested over 63 500 people under the ongoing operation ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele/ No to Machete Gangs’ countrywide.

The two, who are still trapped underground, were identified as John Chitsamba (50) and Repossess Ngirazi (20). National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“On December 16, 2021 at about 13:00 hours, two illegal gold miners, John Chitsamba (50) and Repossess Ngirazi (20) were trapped at Olympus Mine claim at Matondo Business Centre, Mudzi.

“The two victims entered into the closed mine intending to illegally extract gold ore. The walls of the mine shaft curved in and trapped the victims,” he said.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday arrested 2 820 people for Covid-19 related breaches bringing the cumulative number of arrests since March 30, 2020 to 1 361 397.

“On December 19, 2021, 403 people were also arrested under operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’. The cumulative number of arrests now stands at 81 519 since January 1, 2021.

“As at December 19, 2021, a total of 11 383 motorists were nabbed for fitting dangerous bar headlights on their vehicles, while 63 559 were arrested on Operation ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele and No to Machete Gangs’,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

Armed gangs recently resurfaced countrywide, targeting mines and individuals keeping large amounts of cash, prompting police to relaunch the operation.

A few months ago, police restored order in mining areas after taking on the gangs, arresting large numbers of people and thwarting a wave of violence. That violence claimed the lives of several people and left many injured.

Police launched the “Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere” following an outcry over machete-wielding robbers who were terrorising people in mining communities and beyond.

Criminal activities by the marauding gangs of machete attackers have seen an increase in reports of murder, rape, assault, housebreaking and stock theft.