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Gibson Mhaka
ZIMBABWE United Passengers Company (Zupco) workers at Lupane depot in Matabeleland North province, are alleging victimisation by management for exposing their manager who is not a holder of a Class One Licence but drove a bus carrying passengers.
Workers who spoke to B-Metro claimed they had been threatened with transfers as punishment for raising the legitimate complaint to their superiors in Bulawayo that their boss Innocent Moyo who is reportedly a holder of Class Two Licence was driving a bus with passengers thereby putting their lives at risk.
They claimed the victimisation was an attempt by their superiors in Bulawayo who are allegedly fighting in Moyo’s corner to silence them and conceal the matter so that it won’t get to the attention of senior managers in Harare.
A worker who claimed to have gleaned the report which was sent to the Division Risk Officer Tapiwa Chikukutu, said as a result of the alleged victimisation they were now afraid to report workplace issues.
“In the report it was stated that our manager Mr Innocent Moyo would on countless occasions drive the Golden Dragon bus and was subsequently warned by Risk Control supervisor at Lupane Zupco depot (name supplied) not to do so as he was not licensed to drive a bus carrying passengers.
“It further stated that he was also reprimanded during a staff meeting not to drive the bus as passengers were always complaining about his driving. During that staff meeting he responded while bragging that he was a professional Class 2 driver who is also well experienced. The report also stated that even after being warned several times he continued driving the bus with passengers,” said the worker who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation.
Another worker who also preferred anonymity said in a bid to “fix” them, and to subsequently “kill” the matter, management in Bulawayo wanted them to be transferred from Lupane depot with immediate effect.
“As a way of fixing us, the management in Bulawayo who are also supporting Moyo said we should all be transferred from Lupane to other depots.
“We, however, questioned the move and they told us that it was part of company policy that they wanted only people from Lupane to work at the depot. We are afraid that if they transfer us, they will continue victimising and harassing us,” the worker said.
The worker said out of fear that they, too, would be victimised for their efforts to represent them, the workers’ committee was also not assisting them.
Meanwhile, Moyo declined comment saying all questions should be referred to his bosses in Bulawayo.
Chikukutu, who the workers said was the one who received the report also refused to comment before asking how the matter reached our publication.
“I can’t comment on that issue. Get in touch with our Division Operations Manager (Mr Tineyi Rwasoka). But how did the matter reach your office.”
Rwasoka also declined comment on the issue saying as a company they did not discuss such issues with the Press.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter