The Mthombeni Mine in Goromonzi has become a site of tragedy and controversy, with a shocking number of deaths and injuries that demand attention. But are the authorities complicit in this crisis?
A Troubling Pattern of Neglect:
263Chat has uncovered a disturbing trend at the LARRYSCOPE Investments, popularly known as Mthombeni Mine. In the last five months, a series of fatal accidents and near-death incidents have occurred, yet the mine remains operational, casting a shadow of corruption and negligence on the responsible authorities.
Insiders claim that the Ministry of Mines, the police, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) have failed to address the escalating crisis. The mine, it seems, operates without the necessary mining rights, relying solely on a site certificate. Despite conducting hazardous underground mining on a milling site, the Ministry has not intervened.
The Cost of Inaction:
The consequences of this inaction are devastating. William Kwirirai suffered back and leg injuries from a falling rock, while Eddie Chirima from Buhera lost his life after a similar incident. Tafadzwa Muzvidziwa’s life was forever altered, leaving him wheelchair-bound with severe injuries. And these are just a few of the many tragic cases.
Workers have also reported appalling conditions and mistreatment. Management allegedly denies injured workers medical attention, threatening to fire them instead. The mine operates without qualified managers or safety officers, and raising concerns about safety results in immediate termination.
A Call for Justice:
With lives at stake, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been urged to intervene. The question remains: Why have the authorities turned a blind eye to these alarming incidents? Is it negligence, corruption, or a combination of both?
This situation demands answers and accountability. The public deserves to know why these deaths and injuries were allowed to happen and who will be held responsible. And this is the part most people miss—the potential impact on the community and the mining industry as a whole.
What do you think? Are the authorities at fault, or is there more to this story? Share your thoughts and let’s spark a conversation about this critical issue.