*Government Must Declare 1972 Mine Disaster a National Holiday – NMWUZ* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaatWAaBadmi3bUGfI3K MASVINGO – The National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ) is urging the government to declare June 6 a national holiday to commemorate the 427 miners who lost their lives in the 1972 Kamandama Mine disaster at Hwange Number 2, one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in Zimbabwe’s history. In a statement released to mark the 53rd anniversary of the disaster, NMWUZ President Kurebwa Javangwe Nhomboka emphasised the need for the government to prioritise the safety of workers in the mining sector, a concern that still remains unresolved decades after the catastrophic event. “We have called on government to craft measures that ensure safety at work places. It’s regrettable that 53 years after the Hwange disaster, the issue of workers’ safety in mines workplaces is still be to realized. We are calling upon government to investigate issues of mining safety particularly in mushrooming Chinese workplaces where issues of safety concerns remain under scrutiny,” said Nhomboka. “In recognition of that sad day, we call upon government to declare 6 June a national holiday urging all employers in the mining sector in Zimbabwe to prioritize issues of workers’ safety work. Employers, including government must work hand in gloves with workers unions to address safety and other issues, mining workers deserve decent accommodation home ownership scheme’s living wage. Widows and children of the departed Cdes must be well catered,” he added. The Hwange coal mine disaster, also known as the Kamandama disaster, occurred on 6 June 1972, when a series of underground methane gas explosions rocked the Wankie No. 2 Colliery, then owned by the Anglo-American Corporation. All 427 workers underground at the time perished, making it the worst mining accident in Zimbabwe’s history. The bodies of most victims remain entombed in the sealed mine shaft. Despite the passage of time, mine safety remains a pressing concern. According to the Chamber of Mines’ 2023 survey, 80% of mining-related fatalities occurred in underground mining operations, underscoring persistent gaps in safety enforcement, equipment maintenance, and workplace oversight. Investigations have attributed many of these accidents to poor maintenance of critical equipment, inadequate structural integrity inspections, and human error. These issues are particularly acute in the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector, where operations are frequently unregulated and fraught with risk. The proliferation of small-scale gold mining operations across Zimbabwe has worsened these safety challenges. ASGM is notoriously hazardous, plagued by a lack of enforceable safety standards, uncontrolled working conditions, and a high incidence of mine collapses and related fatalities. These ongoing issues have amplified calls from trade unions and civil society organisations for comprehensive reforms in the mining industry. Stakeholders are demanding stricter compliance and monitoring mechanisms, expanded worker training programs, and nationwide campaigns to raise awareness on occupational health and safety rights. The NMWUZ insists that honouring the fallen miners of Kamandama with a national holiday would not only serve as a moment of reflection but would also elevate the importance of improving working conditions across the mining industry. As Zimbabwe continues to rely heavily on mining as a cornerstone of its economy, the union believes that remembering past tragedies like the Hwange disaster must be more than ceremonial – it should inspire meaningful action to prevent history from repeating itself. Source