Online Reporter
Bulawayo Bureau
THE family of a teenager fatally crushed by falling rock in a disused mine shaft at Sunace Mine in Umguza District, Matabeleland North, is still trying to come to terms with the horrific manner in which he died while engaging in illegal gold mining with four friends.
Luckmore Sibanda (17) was killed last Thursday by a large rock that fell on him while he was illegally digging for gold in a decades-old mine shaft.
His four colleagues, two of who are also believed to be teenagers, escaped unhurt and later notified the authorities at Sunace Mine that the boy was trapped under a rock, although they were unsure if he was still alive.
The late teenager’s father was also informed, and together with Sunace security personnel, a search and rescue team was organised. However, Luckmore was found dead.
“Police confirm the sudden death of Luckmore Sibanda, a male aged 17 years from Lukala Village under Chief Mtshane Khumalo.
“On the afternoon of 12 December, the deceased’s father was approached by an adult male informing him that Luckmore Sibanda was trapped in a mine shaft.
“When they went to check on him, it was discovered that the deceased’s body was trapped under a large rock. The team tried to retrieve the body but failed,” said Bulawayo provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
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