Kadoma mine disaster: two bodies retreived

Hope of rescuing four artisanal miners who were trapped at Cricket Mine continue to fade as the rescuers have retrieved two dead bodies of Axveir Zvitiki and Cosmas Zvitiki.

The rescuers managed to retrieve the bodies early is morning (Thursday) and are still expecting to get where Blessing Ncube and Evans Chibawa are currently trapped.

The two bodies which were retrieved were now on level three and the other two are expected to be on the next level.

On Saturday mining companies joined the campaign to rescue the four miners with Zimplats providing a pump which pumps out 63 000 litres of water per hour.

Power Cuts and pump failures stalled the resue operation.

Speaking to Zim Morning Post, Noah Ncube said he no longer  has hope that his young brother is still alive.

“After we saw these two bodies, I doubt if my young brother is still alive,” he said.

Ncube said that he had warned Blessing Ncube not to be involved in artisanal mining in the rain season.

“I warned Blessing not to come to the mine, I know how dangerous it is to mine during the rain season,” said Ncube.

Ncube also said that when Blessing left home he pretended to be visiting his other friends. “When he left home  he said he visiting his friends.”

Mine Manager Benny Dzumbunu said that they are expecting to find the remaining two later today (Thursday)  or early tomorrow (Friday).

“I think we will get where the other two are later today or tomorrow,” said Dzumbunu.

Michael Munodawafa who is the Chief Government Mining Engineer /Chief  Inspector of Explosives said government wants to raise awareness in areas where artisanal miners are found.

“We are trying to correct issues of safety in small scale mines and illegal mines, we are going to carry awareness campaigns on these issues,” said Munodawafa.

Munodawafa said that the disaster which affected Cricket mine was peculiar and admitted that the government was caught by surprise on this issue.

“We are looking for safety in different perspectives and we were caught by surprise on this issue,” added Munodawafa