A 32-year-old illegal gold miner died after a mine shaft collapsed in the Jacaranda area of Gwanda, trapping him under boulders while his partner escaped. Dolphin Moyo was working with Michael Sibanda on Monday afternoon when the shaft became unstable and caved in moments after they noticed the danger. Recovery teams spent two days removing debris with basic tools before retrieving his body on Wednesday evening.
Moyo's wife, Una Katsaruware, witnessed the recovery operation with their infant, who required emergency oxygen treatment at Gwanda Provincial Hospital after losing consciousness. Sibanda told authorities he and Moyo had worked together for two years but were attempting this particular shaft for the first time. Matabeleland South police confirmed the accident occurred around 4 p.m., with Sibanda managing to flee before the collapse buried his colleague beneath falling rocks.
Moyo's wife, Una Katsaruware, witnessed the recovery operation with their infant, who required emergency oxygen treatment at Gwanda Provincial Hospital after losing consciousness. Sibanda told authorities he and Moyo had worked together for two years but were attempting this particular shaft for the first time. Matabeleland South police confirmed the accident occurred around 4 p.m., with Sibanda managing to flee before the collapse buried his colleague beneath falling rocks.
