Two illegal miners die, while the other escapes death

TWO illegal miners famed as 'Jerabos' have died while the other narrowly escaped death but sustained serious  injuries after the weaker ground in which they were quarrying collapsed on them at Nchanga open pit disused mine in Chingola.

Ms Tembo

Copperbelt Police Commissioner Mary Tembo confirmed the incident to The Independent Observer of the incidence which happened yesterday at around 09: 00.

Ms Tembo named the victims as Mpanzi Simoko, 29, of 38 Mwata Street, Asilum Micheal Nsofu, 31 of 24 Buteko Street both of Kapisha Township and Brian Lilige 30 of the same area who sustained serious injuries and is admitted to Nchanga North Hospital in Chingola.

She said the trio was buried at Cut 2 as they were quarrying copper.

“The bodies of the three were retrieved from the pit by a rescue team from Chingola open pit mine yesterday at around 10:00 hours.

“The bodies of the victims are lying at Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary, the survivor is nursing his serious injuries at the same hospital and his condition is very bad, we have also arrested one man identified as Inambau Wamundila aged 38 of 187 Kapisha towns for criminal trespass in the mine, he is believed to be in the same group with the deceased, “she said.

Meanwhile, Police in Chingola have arrested four Jerabos for beating to death a 30 year old man.

Ms Tembo said the deceased was beaten and assaulted on Thursday last week and died yesterday at Nchanga North Hospital.

She identified the suspects as  Reagan Chibuye,24,Elija Nkomba,28, George Masumba,24 and  George Chama 23 all of Kapisha Townships  in Chingola .

She the suspects were arrested yesterday detained at Nchanga police station.

Ms Tembo said the quartet would appear in Court soon for murder.