adminThe protesters have vowed to continue with the demonstrations until the company management swallows its pride and gives in to their demands.
Close to 800 disgruntled wives of RioZim’s Renco Mine in workers in Masvingo on Monday took to the streets demanding their husbands’ annual bonuses and better working conditions, bringing operations to a halt.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Renco Mine workers’ committee chairperson, Mr Vincent Matiza said the demonstration was going on but they had resolved to take it to another level if the management refused to yield.
“The demonstrators have even taken the issue further. There are new developments as we speak. The mine workers and community have forged some linkages.
“We have given the management an ultimatum up to Friday (today) that if they fail to give workers money, we will definitely take over the company under Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT),” said Mr Matiza.
He said they had decided to convene a meeting today to chart the way forward.
“The community, working in solidarity with the workers and their wives will hold a meeting tomorrow (today). The meeting will be a platform to brainstorm on the plans to take over the mine under CSOT. We are doing this because the management has failed to cooperate.
“The workers are fed up with being taken for granted. They were not given their bonuses and the salaries are meagre contrary to what Mr Siprien Kachisa is saying.
“He seems not to appreciate the workers’ plight and will not say the truth about the situation at the mine. He will always want to protect the employer,” he said.
When contacted for comment, company manager Mr Kachisa confirmed that nothing had changed as regards to the demonstration.
He, however, said he was happy that essential operations were allowed to resume.
“The standoff is not yet over but I reiterate that the protesters are not Renco Mine employees. I am happy that essential operations have been allowed to continue and the community is assured of getting clean water,” said Mr Kachisa.
He said the greatest fear was that the community could run the risk of getting water contaminated with cyanide as a result of the disturbances.
“If the operations had remained at a standstill the mine could have found it difficult to control the cyanide from flowing into the river. It is good now that the community will get safe water,” he said.
Mr Kachisa said that he is in good books with the community within which the mine operates and he will not cross swords with any leader.
“I have never blamed the community for the demonstration because I understand them, but what I have said is that the protesters are not our employees.
“The company and the community have a good rapport and I also respect the local leadership.
“I am in good books with the chief, headman and other community leaders.
“We are there to serve the community and workers are well remunerated and what the media is saying is not the truth,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter