President Mnangagwa
By Dickson Bandera
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the Bay Horse Mine accident which occurred on the 29th of October 2023 a state of national disaster.
The mine accident, which has been attributed to unsafe mining methods, has exposed the mine owners who are said to have failed to comply with a number of regulations.
According to a Cabinet report issued this Tuesday, a total of 39 artisanal miners were inside the tunnel when the accident occurred. 13 managed to escape immediately after the accident while 9 were rescued. Four bodies were retrieved and 6 people feared dead are still trapped under a large boulder. Seven others are missing.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police this Tuesday announced the names of the deceased as follows:
Forbes Murombedzi (24) of Village 11 Musengezi, Zvimba
Tawanda Gavaza (28) of Village 11, Musengezi Resettlement, Chegutu
Godfree Baro (27) of Mariyapera Compound, Durawalls, Chegutu
Lloyd Mashavave (40) of Waverly, Kadoma
The activated District Civil Protection Committee is coordinating the response efforts, including engaging surrounding mining companies to assist in the rescue operations and establishing a Command Centre at the mine.
Government has accorded the deceased State-assisted funerals, which covers burial services, provision of grain and funds to manage the burials.
The mine owner is providing food for the rescue team as well assisting with burial arrangements.
Meanwhile, government is assisting the Mashava Plane Crush victims, with various departments activated for the requisite assistance.
The National Civil Protection Fund is being used to assist the bereaved families while the Civil Protection Unit is meeting costs for forensic examination and DNA testing of the remains of the deceased persons,
funeral assistance and psychosocial support to the bereaved families.
The RioZim plane had 6 male persons on board and was travelling from Harare to Murowa Diamonds.
