He was 46.
Chinyoka had been reported missing for three days only for his body to be found in the shaft.
His death has plunged the Nelson Chamisa-led party’s rural supporters into deep sorrow as he was one of the most vibrant opposition figures in a constituency which has elected Zanu-PF legislators in every election since independence.
Takavafira Zhou, the MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson, confirmed the development.
“He met his untimely death when he fell in an unprotected shaft at Chabudapasi
and later before magistrate Solomon Jenya on two counts of contravening section 60A(3) of the Electricity Act.
The State’s outline stated that the accused were arrested at Nyamahomba Farm near Karoi on June 29, 2020 for vandalism and theft of aluminium conductors.
The gang vandalised 11kV line, took the aluminium conductors in broad daylight and hid the loot in a bush.
They later returned in a hired vehicle to collect the loot at around 5pm the same day. Acting on a tip-off, police arranged a trap leading to their arrest.
They were not asked to plead.
Gerald Dhamusi and Temptation Maromo prosecuted.
Gold Mine near Yorkes business centre at night four days ago and was only found after searching for three days. Chinyoka was a committed and fearless cadre ready to be an agent in any hostile environment,” Zhou said.
“He will be buried in Chinyoka village under Chief Mposi tomorrow (today). We urge MDC Alliance supporters to turn up in large numbers for the burial to pay our last respect for him.”
He said the party and Chinyoka’s family would be approaching the owners of the mine for compensation.
“We urge Chabudapasi Gold Mine to carry out responsible mining that resonates with environmental impact assessment and, in particular, to fill up disused mine shafts and protect existing mining shafts. We have lost many people and animals at this mine in similar fashion and such irresponsible mining can never be tolerated in the 21st century,” Zhou said.
