BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
A Chinese national plunged to his death at the Hwange Power Station while assembling cooling towers at one of the units that are under construction.
Police said Zhang Xiaao Dong fell from 40 metres after slipping on the scaffold mounted on Unit 7.
Zhang, who was employed by Sino Hydro Corporation, had been in the country for only six days when tragedy struck.
“On 9 September 2021 Zhang Xiaao Dong arrived in Zimbabwe and was referred to Sino Hydro Unit 7 plant where he commenced duty on 13 September 2021,” police said, quoting a statement made by Sino Hydro’s John Nyamagara.
“His work permit is said to have been for Sino Hydro headquarters in Harare.
“On 16 September at 5pm and at Sino Hydro Unit 7, Zhang Xiaao Dong in the company of other three Chinese nationals Cheng Guo Li Xiaao Fan and Ama Rudong were assigned to assemble cooling towers that were 40,5 metres above ground.
“While assembling the cooling tower, Zhang slipped and fell onto the mesh floor 12 metres from the ground and died on the spot.”
Sino Hydro was awarded the contract for the expansion of the Hwange Power Station, which entails the addition of units 7 and 8 by the Zimbabwe Power Company.
The Chinese company was under the spotlight last year after local workers accused their employer of failing to ensure safety standards were maintained resulting in the death of employees while at work.
Workers also accused their Chinese supervisors of ill treating them while government departments were said to be turning a blind eye to reports of poor working conditions.
The Zimbabwe Construction and Allied Trades Workers’ Union at the time said it had written several letters to government departments raising concerns about working conditions at the project to no avail.
The construction of the two units is part of a US$1.4 billion project to increase electricity generation by 600 megawatts.