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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
PUNGWE Breweries’ General Manager, Mr Erick Dzinza, was early this week suspended pending investigations following employees’ protests over alleged mismanagement, corruption and infringement of their rights.
This followed an industrial action at the brewery in Mutare’s Nyakamete Industrial Area on Monday.
On Monday, disgruntled workers locked everyone, including the management, inside the brewery, while also blocking delivery vehicles from leaving the premises.
The angry group refused to entertain the board of directors when they tried to address them.
They demanded audience with Mutare Mayor, Councillor Simon Chabuka, and Acting Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka.
Mr Chafesuka had to hurriedly rush to the brewery for an emergency meeting with the employees.
In an interview with Post Business, Mr Chafesuka confirmed the development and said the brewery’s board of directors resolved to suspend Mr Dzinza pending investigations on Tuesday.
“Mr Dzinza was suspended on Tuesday following the industrial action. The workers flatly refused to resume their duties until the board intervened and suspended him,” said Mr Chafesuka.
When Post Business visited the premises, striking employees said they have not been paid their salaries for the past eight months and are not allowed to join workers’ committees of their choice.
They also accused Mr Dzinza of corruption and abuse of office, claiming that he promotes undeserving employees.
Ms Rose Makombe, a cashier at the company said: “I cash in at least $100 000 daily, yet we are not being paid. This is not fair. They claim that I receive a salary of $22 000 a month, yet I have not been paid anything since August 2021. We are not allowed to ask for our money. They try by all means to intimidate us whenever we ask about our money.”
A driver, Mr Simbarashe Marange, said the industrial action was the last resort as Mr Dzinza had refused to entertain them.
“We are not allowed to have a workers’ committee. We are not allowed to ask for our money. Once people ask management about their money, they are sent on forced leave. We have locked everyone inside so that the responsible authority, which is Mutare City Council, hears our plight and rectify this,” he said.
Mr Ushe Ushe of the Zimbabwe Food, Beverage and Allied Workers Union said his organisation would stand with the aggrieved employees in their quest for justice.
Mr Dzinza refused to comment.
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