Declare 6 June, a national holiday: MP

Providence Moyo

 Hwange Central legislator, Daniel Molokele has said victims of the Kamandama disaster should be accorded more respect by  declaring  6 June as a national holiday.

Tuesday marked 51 years after the demise of 427 coal miners who perished when a coal mine shaft collapsed in Hwange’s Kamandama area in Madumabisa, Hwange on the 6th of June 1972.

In a statement, Hon. Daniel Molokele said the day must be given the honour that it deserves and that  for such an important day to pass without recognition in the country is a traversty.   He emphasised that the welfare of surviving family members be prioritised.

“Such a very important day must not be allowed to pass by as a non-event. We also take this opportunity to express our disappointment that the Hwange Colliery Company will not be hosting an official event to help commemorate this important day. These people must be remembered and honoured.”

“We also call upon the Colliery Company management and the Ministry of Mines to help come up with a viable and sustainable solution to end the socio-economic plight of the surviving families of all those who passed away on that fateful day.”

 Greater Whange Residents Trust director Fidelis Chima expressed disappointment whose significance is slowly diminishing.

 “We stand opposed to the monopolistic tendencies of the local authority when it comes to these issues.This year’s commemorations that were held at  Kamandama memorial site were open only to victims’ widows  and a few selected members of the public. Events of such calibre cannot be commemorated privately by a few individuals but have to be open to the public. It is also problematic to give widows food every June when they need to be capacitated so that they are able to fend for themselves because these handouts cause them to rely on the local authority. Let’s capacitate these people to be able to fend and survive beyond the predicament they faced,” said Chima. 

The Kamandama disaster remains the worst mine-related disaster in Zimbabwe. A series of underground  explosions took place at the mine leading to its collapse. Eight men were retrieved alive ahead of another explosion that made rescue efforts impossible due to poisonous gas from the explosions which then compelled the company to drop rescue operations and declare the trapped victims dead.

Hwange Colliery Company had earlier announced it would not  be commemorating the mine disaster  due to “unforseen circumstances.”