adminThe workers also alleged that their children were no longer going to school after the company withdrew its buses from transporting them to school.
The children learn at Gloag High School and Shangani Secondary, which are more than 10km and 5km away.
The workers also accused management of forcing them to buy shares in a company that was failing to pay them.
Mine workers who spoke to Chronicle on condition of anonymity in Shangani on Wednesday said the hospital was closed on Wednesday morning.
“There is a lot of drama at this mine. The company is forcing us to sign some forms as an agreement that instead of getting our outstanding salaries and back pay we get houses. We have refused that arrangement,” said the worker.
“As a means of frustrating us, management closed the hospital today. They said we are no longer allowed to get there as long as we refuse to sign the forms. Even our children did not go to school because they were denied transport.”
The workers claimed the company had also denied them payment for this month because of the dispute.
“We cannot be told what to do with our money as if we are children. We just want our money and back pay. Why should we be forced to buy these old houses? The place is almost turning to a ghost settlement yet we are being forced to accept that offer,” fumed another worker.
“We only saw notices all over telling us that the hospital has been closed. Last week the MP of the area Cde Andrew Langa was here trying to help us solve this dispute but the company is defiant. They are refusing to obey Government directives.”
When the news crew visited the mine on Wednesday afternoon workers were loitering around while others spent their time at the shops.
The news crew was denied entry into the plant.
One of the protection officers, a Mr Gatsi said all questions should be directed to the acting mine manager, Mr Timothy Marovatsanga who was reportedly out of office.
However, when contacted for comment on his mobile, Mr Marovatsanga dismissed the accusations.
“That is wrong. It’s a lie. It is incorrect. How can we do that? It’s inhuman. I am in a meeting right now and I am not allowed to talk to you media people. You are not even allowed to interview our workers,” said Mr Marovatsanga.
Cde Langa said it was not acceptable for the mine management to deny the workers facilities such as the hospital and the bus that takes children to school.
Shangani Mine used to be one of the giant nickel mining companies under the Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC).
At its peak the company had more than 1 000 workers of which about 900 were retrenched at the height of economic challenges in 2009.
The workers said the company owed them more than $3 000 each.
Online Reporter