KADOMA — A bid to pan for gold by a 43-year-old man turned tragic after he slipped off the ladder and plunged to death into a 30-metre-deep disused shaft last week.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the death of Amos Mvinjelwa of Muketiwa village, Chief Njelele, Gokwe.
Mabgweazara said on July 10 at around 5am, the now deceased went to Watcheer Section at Venice Mine, Battlefields, Kadoma, to illegally prospect for gold. He was in the company of Mxolisi Mlotshwa.
“The deceased entered the shaft using the ladder leaving Mlotshwa behind, but slipped and fell into the shaft which is about 30 metres deep.
“The deceased’s colleagues went into the shaft moments later, but found Mvinjelwa already dead,” said Mabgweazara.
Fellow illegal gold panners reportedly retrieved the body from the shaft before making a police report. The body was taken to Kadoma District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
