Authorities in Mberengwa District have issued a strong warning against continued mining activities, particularly gold panning, as heavy rains increase the risk of fatal accidents in already unstable areas.
District Development Coordinator Mr Vafios Hlabati told Great Dyke News that some residents are ignoring safety warnings and continuing to mine despite dangerous conditions caused by persistent flooding.
“Some people are ignoring the warnings being issued. The ground is unstable due to the excessive rains, and this puts lives at serious risk,” he said.
The warning comes against the backdrop of several deadly mining-related incidents in Zimbabwe linked to heavy rains in recent years. In 2019, at least 24 artisanal miners died in Battlefields, Kadoma, after mine shafts were flooded following intense rainfall. Similar incidents have been recorded in areas such as Kwekwe and Shurugwi, where collapsing shafts and waterlogged ground have trapped miners underground.
In Mberengwa, ongoing rains have left soils heavily saturated and unstable, significantly increasing the chances of shaft collapses, landslides, and sudden flooding in mining pits.
Authorities say the situation is being worsened by widespread infrastructure damage, with bridges washed away and some communities cut off, complicating rescue efforts in the event of an emergency.
Hlabati urged residents to prioritise safety and suspend all mining and other high-risk activities until weather conditions improve.
Emergency teams remain on alert as the district continues to experience heavy rainfall, with officials warning that preventable loss of life could occur if safety advice is ignored.
