Zimpapers Logo

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

Artisanal miners involved in the retrieval of bodies of five miners who were trapped after the collapse of a shaft at Task Mining Syndicate in Chegutu are demanding US$1 000 from the families to complete the mission.

The artisanal miners, who recently managed to retrieve two of the five miners’ bodies, have continued looking for the other bodies in defiance of a Government directive issued a month ago to suspend the operation due to safety concerns.

Shingai Gwatidzo (20), one of the two miners retrieved was buried at Borgan Villa in Mhondoro on Sunday.

The families, who have been keen on having the bodies of their loved ones retrieved, yesterday expressed shock and dismay at the demands by the artisanal miners.

“Everything seems to be down again,” said Charles Mutume, whose brother Tendai’s body is still trapped underground.

“The rescue team is now demanding US$250 per each body. No work has been done since Shingai’s body was recovered.

“The other body, which the rescuers found together with that of Shingai is still underground.”

Rogers Nyamukanga, whose brother, Crynos’ body is also trapped underground, said the rescue team’s demands were too much.

“We understand that they are risking their lives to find our relatives, but we are appealing to their conscience because we are also suffering,” he said.

Task Mining Syndicate chairperson, Mr Timothy Masviba, said the mine’s administration was running around to secure the funds.

Some of the artisanal miners who spoke to The Herald confirmed that they wanted to be paid for their efforts.

“We are putting our lives on the line, yet we are getting nothing from the Government, the mining syndicate or the families,” said a member of the rescue team who requested anonymity.

“We need to fend for our families back home and we would rather use the time we are spending searching for the trapped miners mining for gold.

“We are only asking for the money so that we can be able to take care of our families and also as surety since our lives are on the line. We are confident that we will find the remaining three bodies soon if we get payment.”

Chegutu Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson, Mr Tariro Tomu, referred The Herald to the CPU national director, Mr Nathan Nkomo, who said they were assisting with coffins.