A 20-YEAR-OLD miner was killed at a Mutoko gold mine after he was crushed by a falling rock, NewsDay has established.
By Jairos Saunyama
Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo could not be reached for comment yesterday, but witnesses said Zacheaus Ravayo died on the spot after he was crushed to death following a blasting incident.
His body was under a heap of stones with deep cuts sustained from rock shrapnel.
The witnesses said on Friday last week at around midday, at CRG Mutoko Gold Mine, Patrick Chinhoyi (43) was on duty with the now deceased carrying out blasting work.
Chinhoyi allegedly set the explosives for blasting and blew a warning whistle to alert other employees to go to safe places as per procedure.
After the blasting, Chinhoyi started clearing the area and in the process discovered Ravayo’s body in the rubble with multiple injuries caused by shrapnel from the explosion. The matter was reported to Mutoko police, who attended the scene.
It is alleged that the mining inspector was advised, but failed to visit the place of incident resulting in the mine being barricaded. The deceased’s body was taken to Mutoko District Hospital for post-mortem.
