Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
MINERS must observe safety rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of lives in accidents during this rainy season, police have said.
Most illegal mining pits and disused mines turn into deathtraps, which should be avoided to save lives in wet weather.
This comes as the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has been emphasising the need for miners to avoid underground work during the rainy season to prevent potential work-related disasters caused by flooding.
Over the years, the CPU had been reactivated countrywide in preparation for rain-induced calamities and is urging the community to be vigilant as the country gears up for possible heavy rains, coupled with thunderstorms as predicted by the Meteorological Services Department.
Last week, seven artisanal miners died after they were trapped in a mine shaft they were working in, in Silobela following heavy rains.
Their bodies have since been retrieved.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and warned people against engaging in such activities, especially during this season.
“The ZRP confirms a mine accident which occurred on November 5, 2025, at Auriga 47 Mine, Base Mineral Block, Nzwananzwi Village, Silobela. Seven artisanal miners were trapped after the shaft they were working in flooded following heavy rains.
“The bodies of the seven victims were retrieved from the shafts on November 7, 2025,” he said.
Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and local mine operators then joined the rescue operation, working tirelessly despite the relentless downpour.
Police have since identified the victims as Qubekhani Mahlube (27), Osca Bafana (24), Albert Nhengure (26), Amos Bafana (41), Bhilito Bhepe (40), all of Nazareth Village, Thambankala, Malisa in Zhombe; John Dube (34) of Muganga Village in Zhombe and Mkhululi Moyo (35) of Nzwananzwi Village in Silobela.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police expresses condolences to the families of the victims.
“Meanwhile, the police urges artisanal miners to prioritise their safety, especially this rainy season to avoid loss of lives,” Comm Nyathi said.
Last year, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds left a trail of destruction in Redcliff and Silobela after blowing off roofs of classroom blocks, houses and other infrastructure.
In September, four artisanal miners died after they were trapped in a disused mine in Shurugwi.
The mine shaft collapsed and trapped the artisanal miners.
The tragic incident occurred on September 4, 2025, at Chengxi Gold Mine, Shurugwi when the victims were prospecting for gold.
During the same months, another five artisanal miners were trapped after a 20-metre-deep mine shaft they were working in collapsed at Umsasa Farm in Mazowe.
The mine accident occurred at Mamini, Umsasa Farm, Mazowe on September 28, 2025.
In January last year, 15 artisanal miners who had been trapped at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga near Mutare when a shaft collapsed were rescued alive, following the deployment of top technology by the Government to figure out their exact location underground.
Teams from local mining companies such as Metallon Corporation, who own Redwing Mine, Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, and others, worked tirelessly with the Government to ensure the miners were rescued, four days after they were trapped.
In May 2022, seven miners at Bucks Mine in Colleen Bawn plunged to their death after hoisting ropes to a skip bringing them up a 240-metre deep shaft snapped 15 metres from the surface.
The skip then plunged to the bottom of the shaft, killing all the seven miners.
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