15 Miners Perish at Illegally Operated Redwing Mine Owned By Scott Sakupwanya!
At least 15 miners are feared dead following a mineshaft collapse at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland province, early this morning.
The mine is owned by Zanu PF Mabvuku-Tafara legislator Pedzisayi Scott Sakupwanya.
Centre for Research and Development director James Mupfumi said that the accident occurred when the shaft collapsed and trapped some gold miners who were operating underground.
He added that hundreds of residents from Penhalonga have since converged at the site to assist in the rescue operations.
According to information received by ZiMetro, the mine is operating illegally after being banned by EMA amid similar scandal.
EMA was forced to close the mine after pressure from civic society groups such as Centre for Research and Development (CRD), and Ziva Community Empowerment Trust who claimed that since 2020, over 100 deaths were recorded at the mine.
Following investigations by ZIMetro team, in 2023, EMA Manicaland provincial boss Kingstone Chitotombe said the suspension was still in force.
“The suspension of Better Brands mining in Penhalonga is still in full force. We suspended them on issues to do with mining safety and regulations and environmental degradation,” he said.
Former Mutasa South constituency legislator Regai Tsunga (Citizens Coalition for Change) confirmed that Better Brands was involved in secret mining at Redwing Mine.
“EMA advised Better Brands to stop its mining operations over numerous deaths, but I have done my investigations and it seems they are mining unofficially. Just a few days ago, there were reported deaths, and there is an attempt by the company to suppress information on on-going mining operations. The safety of miners is not being considered,” Tsunga said.
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