6 June 1972 relived
VICTORIA FALLS – A billow of smoke was seen drifting upwards over Madumabisa Village on 6 June 1972 and was followed by a thunderous sound which sent tremors around the then Wankie Colliery Company concession areas and their periphery. This day remains an indelible part of the coal mining town of Hwange.
Yesterday, all roads led to the Kamandama Mine disaster site where the annual commemoration for the 427 deceased miners was held. The mine accident, which is the worst mine disaster ever recorded in Zimbabwe is remembered every year on 6 June.
According to the then Wankie Colliery Company monthly magazine of 1977, the explosion was caused by methane gas. “Records establish that the accident was caused by an underground methane dust explosion and despite several attempts by the rescue teams to retrieve miners, the fatality of the disaster was such that the mine shaft had to be sealed off. However, eight men were pulled out alive from the mine,” reads the magazine.
Retired mine worker Michael Tembo, a survivor who is now resident in Livingstone, Zambia recounted the disaster. The now 76- year old former employee recounted how on the fateful day, at around 10am, the entire town was plunged into mourning. “At or around 10 am, I saw a cloud of smoke rising over Madumabisa village. Within split seconds, there was a fierce sound which emanated from the entrance to the underground shaft. Immediately, we were informed through loud speakers that the underground shaft mine had collapsed and all the miners inside had been buried alive. Tears ran down my cheeks,” said an emotional Tembo.
Tembo said residents rushed to the mine entrance to investigate. “Women wailed uncontrollably. We were informed by engineers that 425 miners perished underground while two people die by the mine entrance as they were suspected to have inhaled methane gas. It was a sorry sight. Funeral gatherings were everywhere in the concession area,” narrated Tembo who has a vivid picture of the catastrophe.
The Wankie Colliery Company undertook to pay for the education of the deceased’s children as well as to financially support the widows until death.
The disaster is commonly known as the Kamandama Disaster which is commemorated at Madumabisa village where there is a mass grave for the perished miners. The Hwange Colliery Board members, management, widows, workers leadership, mining clusters, local government entities, state entities, traditional leaders,the business community and the media customarily attend the rememberance ceremony.
