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Aaron Musakambeva (left) and Nickson Kapangura pictured in happier times

Crime Reporter
There was a sombre atmosphere on Monday evening as colleagues retrieved the body of the second of the three illegal gold panners who died last Friday after a mine shaft in which they were searching for gold ore collapsed at Lowdale Farm in Mashonaland Central.

David Kanyati’s body was retrieved from the mine shaft at around 6pm on Monday. Nickson Kapangura’s body was retrieved on Sunday night while the search for Aaron Musakambeva’s body is still continuing.

The two bodies, which were retrieved in a decomposing state, were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

Police officers from Marlborough Police Station and Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials visited the scene yesterday.

Some of the deceased’s colleagues were still making efforts to retrieve the body of Musakambeva and were taking turns to get into the more than 8-metre deep mine shaft.

Relatives of the deceased were also at the scene.

The three illegal gold panners were searching for gold when the ground gave in following heavy rains, resulting in them being trapped.