Vice President Constantino Chiwenga announced that the State would assist with the funerals of the victims of two tragic accidents that occurred yesterday.
He told the Central Committee members that 34 miners were trapped at a disused German mine in Chakari, which was reopened by a new owner who failed to take necessary precautions. He said 21 miners were rescued, three bodies were recovered, and five more were located but still trapped. He estimated that 13 miners had lost their lives.
He also reported that the owner of Murowa Diamonds, his son, and four others died in a plane crash in Chirumanzu due to bad weather.
At the Bay Horse Mine shaft in Chegutu, where the mining accident took place, nine deaths have been confirmed so far. Six more bodies are visible but buried under debris. The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has set up a command centre at the mine to coordinate the rescue efforts.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura and chief mining engineer Mr Michael Munodawafa visited the site and assured that they were working to account for everyone and retrieve the bodies with dignity. They said they would use an expansive motor to break the rock without further damage.
One of the survivors, Trevor Murombedzi, shared his ordeal and how he lost his brother, Tendai (23), in the accident. He said they tried to escape when they saw signs of the mine collapsing, but a large piece of ground caved in and trapped five of his colleagues.
Relatives of the trapped miners are still hopeful that their loved ones are among the four who are believed to be alive.