The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of the four artisanal miners who tragically lost their lives in a Mazowe mine accident at Mamini, Umsasa Farm, in Mazowe District on 28 September 2025.
According to police, the victims were identified as Blessing Mudzimu (28), Tawanda Mhembere (34), Lovemore Chikowore (30), and Simba Mutsvairo (25), all of whom were artisanal miners from surrounding communities.
The miners met their untimely deaths after a 20-metre-deep shaft collapsed, burying them underground. Despite frantic rescue attempts by fellow miners and local villagers, the men could not be saved in time. Their bodies were later retrieved following an intensive recovery effort led by mine rescue teams working in coordination with police officers.
News of the accident has plunged the Mazowe community into deep mourning. Family members and friends of the deceased gathered at the site as rescue operations were underway, many wailing uncontrollably as hopes of finding their loved ones alive faded.
One villager, who declined to be named, described the accident as a “dark day” for the small-scale mining community. “These young men were just trying to earn a living to support their families. Now they are gone, and the pain will stay with us for a very long time,” he said.
The miners’ relatives said the tragedy was a painful reminder of the dangers that come with artisanal mining, an activity that, while providing livelihoods for thousands in Mazowe, often lacks proper safety measures.
ZRP Releases Names of Four Miners Killed in Mazowe Shaft Collapse
In a statement confirming the fatalities, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged artisanal miners to prioritise safety when undertaking mining activities. He stressed that unregulated mining shafts, often dug without professional engineering oversight, posed serious risks of collapse, especially during the rainy season or in unstable ground conditions.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of four artisanal miners who were trapped after a 20-metre shaft collapsed at Mamini, Umsasa Farm, Mazowe, on 28 September 2025. Their bodies have since been recovered and taken to Concession District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations. Investigations are underway,” Nyathi said.
He added that artisanal miners should avoid working in unsafe shafts and encouraged those involved in mining to seek technical guidance to reduce the risk of accidents.
Mining accidents have become alarmingly common in Zimbabwe, particularly in gold-rich areas such as Mazowe, Kadoma, and Bindura. With formal employment opportunities dwindling, artisanal mining — also known locally as “makorokoza” — has become a lifeline for many young people and families.
However, the sector remains largely unregulated, with miners often working without protective equipment, safety protocols, or proper structural reinforcements in shafts. Fatal accidents from collapses, flooding, and gas inhalation are reported almost every year.
Mazowe District, in particular, has seen several tragedies over the past decade. In 2019, dozens of miners perished after shafts flooded at Battlefields Mine in Kadoma, while in 2022, six miners were killed in Mazowe under similar circumstances.
Mining experts have repeatedly called on authorities to regularise and formalise artisanal mining operations. They argue that by issuing proper licenses, offering training, and enforcing safety regulations, the government could save lives while also boosting revenue collection.
Following the Mazowe tragedy, civil society organisations and labour groups renewed their calls for government intervention in the artisanal mining sector.
The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) said the accident once again underscored the need for a comprehensive safety framework. “We cannot continue to lose lives in this manner. Artisanal miners play a significant role in Zimbabwe’s gold production, yet they remain the most vulnerable. There is an urgent need for safety education, protective gear, and stricter monitoring of mining sites,” ZELA said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), which represents small-scale miners, also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and pledged to engage with government to ensure safer mining practices.
For the families of the deceased, however, the tragedy is deeply personal. The four men leave behind children, spouses, and parents who depended on them for survival.
“They were breadwinners. Now their children will grow up without fathers, and their parents will struggle without support,” said a grieving relative of one of the victims.
As preparations for burial ceremonies get underway, villagers in Mazowe have rallied to provide emotional and financial support to the affected families. Community leaders have also urged authorities to take practical steps to prevent such disasters in the future.
The deaths of Mudzimu, Mhembere, Chikowore, and Mutsvairo are the latest reminder of the precarious nature of artisanal mining in Zimbabwe. While the sector provides livelihoods to hundreds of thousands across the country, the absence of regulation and enforcement continues to put lives at risk.
As the nation mourns, pressure is mounting on government, mining authorities, and community leaders to find a balance between harnessing the economic potential of artisanal mining and ensuring the safety of those who risk their lives underground.
For now, Mazowe grieves — another mining community devastated by a tragedy that might have been prevented.
Source- iHarare
