Connect with us

National

Hwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute

Published

on

BY BRENDA NCUBE

A Hwange coal mining company allegedly fired about 50 workers, mostly drivers,  after they protested against the unilateral reduction of their wages and poor working conditions.

Advertisement

Turbo Mining, which is linked to businessman Billy Rautenbach and operates in Hwange’s western areas, is said to have wielded the axe on the workers after they staged a protest last Tuesday.

The fired workers were allegedly removed from the company premises by security guards before they were summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing.

Others said they resigned immediately because they did not believe in the fairness of the company’s disciplinary processes.

Advertisement

Workers are said to have staged a demonstration at the company premises after they realised that their allowances had been reduced to between US$170 and US$180 from US$230 that they had agreed with their employer.

Turbo Mining pays its workers a basic salary of US$86 334 and the US dollar allowances, but the disgruntled employees said their pay had been adjusted without their knowledge.

Charisma Alubi, who said he was one of the drivers that were being victimised for their role in the strike, told VicFallsLive workers were not happy with the way their salaries were being altered every month.

Advertisement

“Our salaries are being reduced every month,” Alubi said.

“We are not getting the amount that we signed for on our contracts.

“The money we are given is not enough.

Advertisement

“We have families that we are taking of. We also need to eat, pay rent and rates. We can’t work for free at Turbo Mine.”

Narrating events that took place on the day the workers were summarily dismissed, said Turbo employees staged a sit-in as they demanded to be addressed by management on the salary discrepancies.

“Drivers on night duty showed up for work, but we didn’t work and that was the same situation with the day shift drivers,” Alubi said.

Advertisement

“We asked for a breakdown of our salaries from the human resources department.

“However, we were chased away by security guards from the company premises and the HR department served us with letters to attend hearings.”

Another driver Norman Chiringa said the protesting workers were accused of embarking on an illegal strike.

Advertisement

“The charges being levelled against us are that we staged an illegal work stoppage after we asked the HR department to give us a breakdown of our salaries,” Chiringa said.

“We wanted to know why we got less than what was stated on our contracts.

“They couldn’t explain the discrepancies between what was on the contracts and the pay we got.

Advertisement

“Some of us resigned the next morning because we already knew the outcome of the hearing, which is getting fired.”

Some of the disgruntled workers claimed that the company fired mostly locals, who were immediately replaced by people from other provinces.

“The staff that has been fired is made up of mostly local residents of Hwange,” claimed Khumbulani Nyoni, a driver.

Advertisement

“After firing us they brought drivers from Chisumbanje and they treat them much better by keeping them on guest houses and they feed them daily.

“The management practices a lot of tribalism.”

Rautenbach also owns GreenFuel, which produces ethanol in Manicaland.

Advertisement

The fired Turbo Mining drivers claimed their employer also failed to guarantee their safety and health.

“Some companies test their workers for diseases caused by coal dust, but we haven’t been tested for a year and some months, we might be dying inside,” said Admire Nyathi, a driver.

“We have a colleague who got sick and went to Harare.

Advertisement

“The company has no clinic on site, no medical aid, even an ambulance to send those who get injured at work to the hospital.

“If you get injured at work you cater for your own medical bills and if you take long to recover the company fires you.

“The company managers don’t know how to run a mine. We do not get safety clothing on time and we run the risk of contracting pneumonia.

Advertisement

“The food we are getting is like that being fed on prisoners. If you ask about money you are called for a hearing and you get fired.”

Efforts to get a comment from Turbo Mining management were unsuccessful as their telephone numbers were being answered.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

Advertisement

The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

Advertisement

Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

Advertisement

The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

Advertisement

RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

National

New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

Published

on

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

Advertisement

Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

National

Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

Advertisement

The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

Advertisement

The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage