By Fanuel Chinowaita
AT least seven artisanal miners are feared dead following a mine collapse at Rezende Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland, with authorities yet to officially confirm the reported death toll.
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) yesterday demanded an urgent independent investigation into the disaster, which occurred on Sunday and initially claimed three lives, with several miners reportedly trapped underground.
CNRG said it had received unverified reports that the death toll had since risen to seven, raising fresh questions over the rescue operation and mine safety in the gold-rich area.
The organisation also criticised authorities for failing to provide a public account of the number of miners killed, injured or still trapped.
“The authorities have a responsibility to establish and communicate the truth: how many people were underground, how many have died, how many remain trapped or injured, who was responsible for the operation, what safety measures were in place, and whether the mine was operating in compliance with Zimbabwean mining and occupational safety requirements,” CNRG said.
The organisation said it had sought comment from ZRP Manicaland Acting Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka on the disaster and rescue operation, but had received no response by the time of issuing its statement.
CNRG warned that the absence of official information could fuel allegations that the tragedy was being swept under the carpet, but stressed that such allegations should not substitute verified facts.
Rezende Mine forms part of the Redwing mining complex, which CNRG said was owned by The King’s Daughter Mining Company (Private) Limited, while Betterbrands Mining Company (Private) Limited operates at the mine under a tributary arrangement.
Betterbrands Investments identifies Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya as its chairman and founder.
The disaster has once again thrust Penhalonga’s mining safety crisis into the spotlight, with CNRG alleging that hundreds of Betterbrands workers have died in the area since the company began operations in 2020.
The organisation claimed that many of the deaths went unreported.
CNRG said previous monitoring and community engagements had also raised concerns over mining safety, environmental hazards and water pollution associated with operations at Redwing.
It said the latest collapse should not be treated as an isolated incident.
Instead, CNRG called for a comprehensive audit of mining activities across Penhalonga, covering both registered and informal operations, mine plans, shaft stability, ground conditions, occupational safety, licensing and environmental compliance.
It also demanded immediate inspections of high-risk shafts and the suspension of operations where there was credible evidence of an imminent threat to human life.
The organisation called for the release of previous mine inspection reports, risk assessments, safety notices and outstanding corrective measures relating to the affected operation.
It further demanded an investigation into whether the artisanal miners had adequate safety systems, supervision, protective equipment and emergency response arrangements.
CNRG also called for a transparent rescue and recovery operation for any miners who may still be underground, as well as compensation and psychosocial and legal support for victims’ families.
“People must come before profit,” the organisation said.