By Memory Mudzani
Three artisanal miners died after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes while working in an underground mining tunnel at Coconut, Wanderer Mine in Shurugwi.
The incident occurred on 5 November 2026, at around 9am.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko identified the deceased as Francis Manokwe (36), Lloyd Muza (33) and Ishmael Msipa (37).
Inspector Mahoko said the three were mining gold ore in a disused underground tunnel, approximately three kilometres from the surface, in the company of an 18-year-old colleague, Gaynor Munyuki.
Munyuki reportedly left the tunnel to buy food and upon returning, discovered that the three miners had died.
“It is suspected that the trio inhaled carbon monoxide fumes from explosives they were using during mining operations, resulting in their deaths,” said Inspector Mahoko.
He said police attended the scene and with the assistance of fellow artisanal miners, retrieved the bodies from the underground shaft.
The bodies were subsequently taken to Shurugwi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Inspector Mahoko said investigations were underway in terms of the Coroner’s Office Act [Chapter 7:21] to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He urged members of the public engaged in mining activities to observe safety procedures and comply with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act to prevent similar tragedies.
