Gold miner buried alive as flash floods hit river

A tragic accident unfolded in Umzingwane District when flash floods swept through the Lunga River, burying a 20-year-old illegal gold miner alive in a pit that was meant to be his livelihood. The miner, Shelton Ndlovu, was among a group of amakorokoza (illegal miners) sleeping in their pits along the riverbed when the floodwaters struck in the dead of night.

Previous Tshuma, a fellow miner, recounted being jolted awake by the sound of rushing water around 1 a.m. last Sunday. "I had to climb out as fast as I could and run to safety," he said. Moments later, he saw a flashlight from a nearby pit where two of his friends had been sleeping. While one, Mthandazo, managed to escape, Shelton did not.

Shelton's body remains buried under the collapsed and waterlogged ground of the pit, a grim reminder of the dangers illegal miners face in their quest for gold.

For Shelton's mother, Silibaziso Ndlovu, the tragedy is a devastating blow. Shelton, who left school in Form Three to support his family after his father's death, was the breadwinner for his mother and younger siblings.

"I want to take my son home for burial in Mberengwa," she said tearfully. Alongside other family members and miners, she has camped at the site, waiting for the recovery of her son's body.

Authorities and local miners are collaborating to retrieve Shelton's body. An excavator and low-bed truck have been secured, and 260 liters of diesel has been sourced to power the machinery. However, the effort faces challenges due to wet and inaccessible roads caused by ongoing rains.

Peter Mahlathini, the Umzingwane District Development Coordinator, said, "We hope to start efforts to retrieve the body as soon as possible."

The accident has drawn attention to the dangers and environmental impact of illegal riverbed mining, a practice outlawed by the government in 2020 but still widespread. Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr. Evelyne Ndlovu, expressed concern over the loss of life and environmental degradation caused by the practice.

"This level of destruction and loss of life is unacceptable," she said during a visit to the accident site.

Riverbed mining involves digging deep pits in search of gold, with miners often sleeping in the pits to protect their claims. While it provides a livelihood for many, it comes at a high cost, with risks of accidents, flooding, and environmental damage ever-present.

The government recently renewed its ban on alluvial and riverbed mining to address issues such as water pollution, siltation, and ecosystem disruption. However, enforcement remains a challenge as economic hardships push many to continue the practice.

As Shelton's family and fellow miners wait for his body to be retrieved, the accident underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions that balance livelihoods with environmental preservation and safety. For now, the community mourns the loss of a young life cut short by desperation and danger.