Wellington Takavarasha, head of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, told the press that six miners have since been pulled from the rubble; two of the miners are receiving medical attention.

However, more than 30 miners are still unaccounted for. Takavarasha said rescue efforts were ongoing. Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Information, Nick Mangwana, explained: “A deep disused mine trench has caved in, trapping several illegal gold miners. Exact number not yet established. So far six miners have been rescued. Details to follow but numbers could be circa 30”.

This follows after six miners died at the Matshetshe Mine in Esigodini earlier this month. Five miners died back in September when a Chegutu mine shaft collapsed.

Accidents are also fairly common in decommissioned mines, especially during the rain season. The Zimbabwean government came under fire for failure to rescue the trapped miners in time on both occasions.

NewZimbabwe contacted the mine owner for comment, who said she was “not at liberty to comment because she had not yet been given permission to do so”.

Peter Mahlatini, Umzingwane District Development coordinator, also declined to comment, other than confirming a report from the local police had been received.

According to Mahlatini, all queries should be directed to provincial police. NewZimbabwe reports that the Matabeleland South Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele “was not reachable”.

As per National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi, Chief Inspector Ndebele was attending a virtual traffic meeting at the time.

According to the International Crisis Group, the gold mining industry provides work for approximately 10% of Zimbabwe’s population. However, violence is on the increase in the industry.

“Instability in the gold sector, driven by Zimbabwe’s patronage economy, has eroded the gold export revenue that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government urgently needs to keep the country’s struggling economy afloat.”

Unemployment is rife and affects approximately 90% of the population. In order to survive, many turn to illegal mining and work in disused mines, or enter operational mines illegally.

Furthermore, Ugama TV reports that “small-scale miners” would oftentimes “operate illegally to avoid selling their bullion to the state-owned buyer, Fidelity Printers and Refiners”.

The South African