Three artisanal miners dead as mine collapses in Penhalonga

A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed Penhalonga at the weekend when three youthful artisanal miners died after the mine they were working in collapsed.

The tragedy occurred at Diamond Base Mine.

It claimed the lives of Jealous Pindeni (22), Prince Nyamuona (21) and Philip Sithole (21), all of Mundanda Village, in Chipinge.

The trio could not be rescued as it was raining heavily.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the tragedy. He said a boulder collapsed while the three men were working in the mine.

Their partner, Tutsirai Nyangani, advised the police of the incident.

“On November 15, 2025, at around 1am, Nyangani and the now deceased persons were mining gold at an illegal cast near Diamond Base.

“Whilst they were busy with their work, a large boulder suddenly collapsed from the walls of the cast at a height of about 10 metres and fell on them, thereby trapping them.

“Nyangani then reported the matter to ZRP Penhalonga who attended the scene and managed to retrieve the trio’s dead bodies from the cast.

“The bodies were conveyed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem.

“The deceased’s next of kin were advised,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.