MASVINGO — Hundreds of villagers from Nyajena communal lands in Masvingo South yesterday joined protests by Rio Zim’s Renco Mine workers’ wives, accusing the mine of reneging on its promise to develop the community. REPORT BY TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
On Monday, about 800 workers’ wives staged a demonstration at the mine, blocking the main entrance and workers from going to work. They crippled operations at the gold mine.
Yesterday, villagers from the surrounding community joined the protests, accusing the mine management of sidelining locals from employment, as well as polluting nearby streams with dangerous chemicals that led to the death of their cattle.
When NewsDay visited the mine yesterday, the wives said they had slept at the main gate where they also cooked and blocked the police from entering, demanding an audience with mine management.
They are demanding their husbands’ annual bonuses, a pay rise to above poverty datum line, as well as better working conditions.
The lowest paid worker at the mine who falls under Grade One reportedly earns less than $200.
Renco Mine workers’ wives committee chairperson Doreen Madzora said they were protesting on behalf of their husbands who could not strike out of fear of victimisation.
Shingirirai Zvavamwe, the villagers’ spokesperson said the mine, opened in the ’70s, was reneging on its promises on social responsibility programmes to develop the community.
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Renco Mine manager Syprine Kachisa said he was not authorised to talk to the Press yesterday and referred all questions to managing director Ashton Ndlovu, whose phone was not being answered.
