adminThe three panners, Robson Nyanhete, Kudakwashe Mukowore and Tapiwa Chitsware, had reportedly travelled from Shurugwi with their scud intending to see management at Delta but were denied entry by security guards.
“They then threatened to beat up the guards and forced themselves into the company premises before they stormed into one of the company offices,” said a witness.
The witness said the company worker whose office was invaded bolted out of the office and called management to attend to the three who were seething with anger.
“They entered into one of the offices, shouting and hurling insults at the security guards,” said the witness.
In an interview, the three said they wanted to beat up the security guards who tried to block them from meeting management. They said they came across a used condom while drinking at Valley Bar in Shurugwi resettlement area on Sunday evening.
“We are panners in Shurugwi and after a day’s hard work, we decided to go and have some drink at Valley Bar on Sunday evening.
“While drinking, one of my friends suddenly spit the beer he was drinking. We then investigated and found a used condom in the scud,” said Mr Nyanhete.
He said they then confronted the barman who also indicated that they had bought the beer sealed from Delta.
“We then decided to abandon our panning activities and travelled to Delta with our exhibit where the security guards tried to block us from seeing management at Delta,” he said.
Mr Nyanhete said they bulldozed their way into the Delta premises before they got to the company’s offices.
“We were surprised when the office occupant stormed out of the office. The company’s customer care manager attended to us and said they needed to take the scud for some tests first. We, however, refused with our scud as we suspected that they could tamper with our exhibit,” he said.
Another panner, Mr Mukowero said they were later given a crate of “shake-shake” beer each as a token after they confronted Mr Geoffrey Doro demanding answers.
“Mr Doro only pleaded with us and said there was nothing he could do as he was waiting for his bosses’ response in Harare.
“He pleaded with us and gave us some shake-shake beer each but he gave us assurance that he would come back to us to see how best they could assist us in terms of our health,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Doro confirmed receiving a complaint but dismissed the allegation that the foreign object which was in the scud was a used condom.
“I did receive such a complaint but like I have always told you in the past, every time such an incident occurs, deal with our customer liaison officer, Mrs Khethiwe Dhliwayo.
“I, however, don’t think that the foreign object which was in the said scud was a used condom,” he said.
A comment from Mrs Dhliwayo could not be obtained as she was said to be out of the country.
Online Reporter