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Gold panner buried alive at dump site

News
KADOMA A 28-year-old illegal gold panner was buried alive in slime on April 17. Mashonaland West acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the death of Knowledge Wedzerai in the incident on April 17 at around 6pm at the Watcher slime dump at Venice Mine, Battlefields in Kadoma. Police said Wedzerai of DE43 Venice […]

KADOMA A 28-year-old illegal gold panner was buried alive in slime on April 17.

Mashonaland West acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the death of Knowledge Wedzerai in the incident on April 17 at around 6pm at the Watcher slime dump at Venice Mine, Battlefields in Kadoma.

Police said Wedzerai of DE43 Venice compound and his friend, Shadreck Kavhu (20) of the same compound, were illegally panning for gold at the bottom of the dump site which is approximately eight metres high.

In the process, the suspended edges of the slime dump collapsed burying the now deceased alive.

Kavhu, who was standing a few metres away, rushed to the compound and informed Pomerai Elisaki (31) who is brother to Knowledge, and the two then rushed back to the scene but failed to rescue Wedzerai.

The matter was reported to Venice police who retrieved the body which was later taken to Kadoma General Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Police urged the public to desist from dangerous illegal gold panning at slime dumps.

Residents staying close to mine dump sites should stop illegal panning as they risk losing their lives in the dangerous and illegal activities, Kohwera said.