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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau

Two artisanal miners were last week trapped to death at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe while prospecting for gold.

Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tonny Nyandoro said the deceased are Aleck Mupatsi (32) of house number 243 in Epworth and Simon Muganye (34) of Chitekete Village, Chief Njelele in Gokwe.

The incident happened on March 18 at around 10pm.

Mupatsi and Muganye were in the company of Simon Chiwafa (30) of 387 Koala Park, Harare and Tapiwa Mandizvidza (21) of Stoneridge, Harare.

Whilst working in a mine shaft, a huge boulder of clay fell on the group, injuring Mandizvidza , trapping Mupatsi and Muganye.

The matter was reported at ZRP Jumbo Base.

Police attended the scene and retrieved the bodies from the mine with the assistance of other gold miners.

The bodies were ferried to Concession Hospital while Mandizvidza was referred to Concession Hospital for treatment.

He is said to be in a stable condition.

Asst Insp Nyandoro urged people to stay away from illegal gold mining.

“People must formalise their operations and put in place all safety mechanisms to avoid loss of lives,” he said.