adminFrom Freedom Mutanda in Chisumbanje
A DEMONSTRATION by disgruntled Chisumbanje villagers – mostly women – who were demanding their husband’s outstanding salaries at Greenfuel offices turned chaotic on Wednesday afternoon following the deployment of riot police who laboured to disperse the marauding protesters.
The protest, which entered its fourth day on Wednesday, saw placard waving villagers denouncing the company management for failing to give them their dues.
People ran for dear life when police unleashed tear-gas canisters to disperse the crowd which had refused to budge. They sought refuge in the compound but vowed to continue with the protest till they get paid.
They sang revolutionary songs punctuated with heavy drum beating of the Muchongoyo traditional dance.
Greenfuel has battled to pay its workers since October last year and this has enraged the Chisumbanje community which long thought the company had brought good times rolling.
Mrs Reason Khumbula, a villager from Chinyamukwakwa, had no kind words for the company she accused of being insensitive and outright callous.
The villager queried why the company was not concerned with the plight of its workers, who have been loyal for several months without payment.
“The workers have been very patient. While they say patience is a virtue, but what does the employer think these workers will do to send their children to school. As workers, they need to be paid so that they can put food on their tables as well as cater for the educational and health needs of their families. We hope that the Government will intervene and help the workers get their salaries”.
On Monday, school children joined the protests.
They came from nearby schools in Middle Sabi and Chisumbanje whose parents and guardians work at the plant.
Interviewed students said their parents were struggling to pay examination fees which the local examining body, ZIMSEC, recently hiked from $13 to $15 for O level candidates.
“My father has not been paid for months. My future and that of other students risk being bleak because our parents are failing to pay exam fees saying their employer has not paid them over a long period of time.
“Many risk not writing the final exams if the company fails to show human face, and many may end up joining the great trek to South Africa where they will perform menial jobs,” said one student who refused to be named.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the company, in an effort to afford children their basic right to education, was mulling paying school and exam fees for the beleaguered students and deduct the amount from their parents’ salaries.
No comment could be obtained from the company management as they were said to be locked in a series on meeting meant to find a solution to the problem.
The workers argued that there was no communication between them and the company management.
“Ethanol is being sold every second in Zimbabwe and we wonder what is happening.
“Ethanol has a ready market and at times we are failing to meet demand. They are making money and thus we must get paid.
“They must not play hide and seek with us.
“We are adults and we can read when some people cheat on us,” said one employee who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
Online Reporter