Zimbabwe Teacher Dies in Gold Mine Shaft Collapse as Union Blames Low Salaries

BUHERA, Zimbabwe — June 15, 2026 — The death of a teacher from Buhera who reportedly turned to artisanal gold mining to supplement his income has reignited debate over teacher salaries and the growing economic pressures facing public sector workers in Zimbabwe.

Progress Makamani, a teacher at Dune Primary School in Buhera District, died after a gold mining shaft collapsed while he was engaged in artisanal mining activities, according to a statement issued by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).

The union said Makamani had not returned to work when schools opened for the second term because he was seeking additional income through gold mining, a sector that many Zimbabweans have entered amid rising living costs and declining real wages. ARTUZ described the incident as a consequence of what it called “structural violence” caused by low salaries and worsening economic conditions for educators.

“A teacher’s government salary can no longer adequately cover school fees, healthcare and food costs for many families,” the union said in a statement.

The union further argued that many teachers are increasingly forced to seek alternative sources of income to support their households.

Zimbabwe's artisanal and small-scale mining sector continues to record high numbers of fatal accidents, particularly from shaft collapses. Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura recently revealed that 64 people died in artisanal and small-scale mining accidents during the first quarter of 2026, representing a six percent increase from the same period last year. More than half of the fatalities were attributed to ground collapses.

Mining safety experts have repeatedly warned that unregulated mining operations expose workers to dangerous conditions, including unstable shafts, inadequate support structures, and limited access to protective equipment. The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has previously linked recurring mine accidents to weak enforcement of mining regulations and safety standards.

The tragedy has renewed attention on long-standing concerns over teacher remuneration in Zimbabwe. Teacher unions have consistently argued that salaries have failed to keep pace with inflation and the cost of living, forcing many educators to pursue side businesses, cross-border trading, farming, and informal mining activities. ARTUZ said Makamani's death should serve as a warning about the economic hardships confronting teachers and other public sector workers. The union called for urgent salary reviews and improved working conditions to ensure educators can support their families without resorting to high-risk survival strategies.

As family members, colleagues, and pupils mourn Makamani's death, education stakeholders say the incident highlights the broader challenges facing Zimbabwe's public education sector.

The government has yet to issue a statement specifically addressing Makamani's death. However, labour unions continue to press authorities for measures aimed at improving teachers' welfare and reducing the economic pressures driving some educators into hazardous occupations.

Makamani's death comes amid a wider national conversation about worker welfare, mine safety, and the socioeconomic challenges affecting ordinary Zimbabweans. For many in Buhera, the loss represents not only the death of a teacher but also a stark reminder of the difficult choices many families face in pursuit of survival.

Zimbabwe teacher dies in mine shaft collapse