Story by Jerold Sasa
GOVERNMENT has stepped up efforts to locate three illegal miners who are believed to have been trapped in a disused gold mine in Makaha area of Mudzi district for the past three days.
A high-powered government delegation led by chairperson of the Provincial Civil Protection Unit and traditional leaders descended on Makaha area this Tuesday as efforts to locate the trapped illegal miners are being stepped up.
The trio which was operating in a disused mine is suspected to have been trapped after heavy rains which pounded the area recently.
The Permanent Secretary of Mashonaland East province, Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa said, “As government, we have stepped up efforts to locate the miners in whatever state and we are calling for assistance to beef up our resources.”
“This is a very unfortunate incident in our area and we are hoping that our rescue operations will yield some positive results,” Chief Nehombo said.
Representing miners, Mr Mudyiwa Mashonganyika said, “As miners, this is a very unfortunate incident and we are pulling our resources together as we seek to identify where the guys could be.”
Family members who have been at the scene since day one, are holding on to the hope that their relatives will be rescued alive.
“My brother and cousins are all trapped underground and I am appealing to well-wishers to assist with whatever they can so that we find them,” a relative said.
“I am the father of two of those trapped and I am hoping we find them alive. I came all the way from Gokwe to help in the rescue mission.”
Concerned villagers are also spending most of their time at the scene hoping for good news.
