11 December 2019

...A dismembered body of one of the four mineworkers who were trapped underground at Esikhovheni Mine when the ground curved in on the four on Tuesday morning has been found. Umzingwane District acting Civil Protection Department (CPD) Chairperson, Peter Mahlathini confirmed the sad developments saying the victim had been found decapitated...

The pace at which the operation is being carried out has slowed down as they have abandoned the use of machinery. Mine employees have instead started using manual methods to try and retrieve the bodies underground...The Mine Manager, Vessel Mpofu said that after calling off the search on Tuesady at 8 pm, efforts to retrieve the quartet resumed this Wednesday morning. He said no contact has been made with any of the victims of the mining accident so far. He says the CPD has mobilised the requisite machinery and resources for the operation...