Onward Gangata
POLICE in the Midlands Province have expressed deep concern at the safety levels of mining shafts this rainy season.
The province has recorded 37 deaths as a result of flooding and flood related accidents in the 2025/2026 rainy season.
This is a huge rise in the number of fatalities compared to the 17 deaths recorded last year during the same period.
Officer Commanding Midlands, Commissioner, Patson Nyabadza gave a brief of the situation.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police, has recorded at least 37 deaths due to drowning in flooded rivers, wells, open pits and several emergencies like lightning and accidents due to poor state of roads since the start of the 2025/2026 rainy season.
“As Police, we are highly concerned, since, protection of life and property is part of our Constitutional mandate,” he said.
A breakdown of the statistics shows that Kwekwe had the highest number of fatalities with 18 deaths.
Zvishavane recorded 12 fatalities while Gweru rural had five, Gokwe had two deaths while there were no fatalities in Gweru Urban.
In November last year, seven artisanal miners died after a mine shaft collapsed at Base Mineral block Mine in Silobela.
And Comm Nyabadza noted that police are concerned by the number accidents at mines at this time of the year.
“As police we carry out periodic checks at mines checking on registration, protective clothing and many other things,” he pointed out.
“Where we suspect that there are unsafe shafts we engage the Ministry of mines, who have their engineers to assess the safety.
“For us it’s a major cause for concern because we keep hearing of mine shafts collapsing and it is worrying.”
He also urged motorists to desist from driving while under the influence of alcohol saying this was a major cause of drivers attempting to cross flooded rivers.
