By Kudakwashe Vhenge
The body of a volunteer who tried to assist the trapped miners at the Ran mine in Bindura on Friday was yesterday discovered.
The deceased was identified as Wellington House aged 34.
Wellington’s body was retrieved together with that of one Edmore Tsongodza populary known as Byca in the mining town who is believed to be part of the 30 trapped miners who are all feared dead.
Wellington slipped into the tunnel last Saturday evening at around 6 pm when he was making efforts to rescue his collogues’ who had been trapped underneath for days
He immediately disappeared into the depths of the disused shaft only for his lifeless body to be recovered yesterday.
Government has since pledged to provide assistance for the hero rescuer.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana said a coffin has been supplied, as well as various food items for feeding mourners.
The Ran Mine collapsed on the 25th of November burying alive at least 30 artisanal miners.
After visiting the site over the weekend, Mines and Minerals Minister, Winston Chitando, said the rescuers do not have a timeframe of when they will be able to reach the miners because they first have to assess the site to establish how best they can carry out the rescue mission.
However all the miners are feared dead as the Acting Mashonaland Central Police spokesperson Assistant inspector Fidelis Dhewu yesterday confirmed what was now considered a retrieval operation.
