Tinotenda Hove -A 22-year-old illegal gold panner, Omega Mazivangeyi, died after inhaling toxic gas in a poorly ventilated mine shaft at Zaina Mine in Penhalonga. Mazivangeyi and a friend, Gift Mtetwa, entered the disused mine to pan for gold. After descending into the 20-meter shaft, Mazivangeyi succumbed to the gas, and Mtetwa, who followed, was also affected but managed to escape.

Authorities found the shaft was sealed off, restricting airflow and allowing toxic gases to accumulate. The police and Redwing Mine’s rescue team retrieved Mazivangeyi’s body, and authorities warned of the dangers of illegal mining in unregulated shafts. The body was taken to the mortuary for a post-mortem.