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Hwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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National

Bulawayo businessman takes own life

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Picture: ZimLive

 

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

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Tragedy struck in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park on Saturday, when a 36-year-old businessman John Madzikatire took his own life by shooting himself.

According to a police statement, the incident occurred around 9:30 pm on an unnamed dust road, where a motorist stumbled upon Madzikatire’s lifeless body lying next to his Mercedes Benz vehicle.

The vehicle was still idling with its lights on and the driver’s door wide open.

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Madzikatire was found in a pool of blood, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head, with no signs of life.

A pistol was discovered under his right knee, and it’s suspected that he shot himself in the head from the left side, with the bullet exiting from the right side.

A search of the vehicle revealed an army green bag containing a substantial amount of cash: $5,122 USD, 20,719 South African Rand, and $24 Zimbabwean dollars. The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem examination.

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The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the incident and encourages the public to seek help when facing challenges. “We urge people to engage with others and seek counseling from community leaders and professional counselors rather than resorting to taking their own lives,” said Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province.

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Vic Falls road crisis: Motorists slam “undrivable” highway

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The once-thriving Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway has become a nightmare for motorists, with many labeling it “undrivable” due to its deplorable state.

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As we drove through the Hwange area, close to Dete, Lubimbi Turn and Lupane, we witnessed firsthand the treacherous conditions that have left drivers frustrated and fed up.

The road is riddled with potholes, gullies, and mud-filled craters, forcing many to abandon the main road and opt for a dusty, makeshift alternative.

In some areas close to Lupane, villagers have taken it upon themselves to fix the road using the ordinary soils. This is usually done by the children and women.

“I’ve been driving for over 20 years, but this road is the worst I’ve ever seen,” said Thomas Moyo, a truck driver who frequently travels the route. “It’s like they’ve abandoned us. We’re forced to create our own paths, but even those are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.”

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Another motorist, Sarah Ndlovu, expressed her disappointment and concern for safety. “It’s not just the damage to our vehicles; it’s the risk of accidents and injuries. I’ve seen cars stuck in the potholes , and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”

The poor state of the road is also affecting travel times, with some motorists reporting journeys that take up to 10 hours to cover a stretch of 400 kilometers.

“It’s unacceptable,” said James Dube, a tourist operator. “This road leads to one of the world’s most iconic tourist attractions, and yet it’s in shambles. We need urgent attention to fix this road and restore our country’s reputation.”

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However, in a recent statement, the government announced plans to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway this year.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, a significant allocation of funds has been set aside for the project, which is expected to commence in the coming months.

While this news has brought some relief to motorists, many remain skeptical, citing previous unfulfilled promises. “We’ve heard it all before,” said Moyo. “We’ll believe it when we see it.”

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As the situation continues to deteriorate, motorists are calling on authorities to take immediate action to repair and maintain the highway.

With the peak tourist season approaching, it remains to be seen whether the government will follow through on its promises and restore the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway to its former glory.

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National

Cyclone Chido moves away from Zimbabwe

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

According to the latest updates from the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, approximately 35-40km south of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado Province.

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The intense tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds of up to 220km/h, causing widespread destruction in Mozambique. The system is expected to continue tracking west-southwest towards Malawi, steadily dissipating.

Zimbabwe, which was initially predicted to be in the cyclone’s path, has been spared the worst of the storm.

However, neighboring countries, including Malawi, are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 72 hours.

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The SHOC has issued a multi-hazard impact-based classification, warning of expected impacts, including strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, in Mozambique, Malawi, and other parts of the region.

Member states have been urged to closely monitor official weather updates, intensify public awareness campaigns, and preposition relief supplies to enable a swift response to the cyclone’s impact.

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