ZVISHAVANE - Struggling mine workers here are demanding that business tycoon Mutumwa Mawere At its peak, before government seized the asbestos mine in 2004 accusing Mawere of defrauding the State, it provided jobs to locals, paying decent wages and perks, but made them almost jobless after a government appointed administrator, Arafas Gwaradzimba, took control.
“They should give him back his mines we are facing a lot of problems. It has become difficult for us to earn our living,” said a mine worker who declined to be named. “The closure of the mines has affected other businesses as well.”
The mine workers, who under government management have gone for extended
periods without payment, want a solution to their problems, and more importantly better remuneration. The collapsing mining town also needs serious infrastructure development.
“If Mawere takes control, it will be a great relief for the people. Unemployed people have no alternative and the youth are idling away their time. It will bring an end to our suffering.”
Mawere’s rise was accompanied by allegations of covert support by politicians from the ruling Zanu (PF), especially in connection with government guarantees for a US$60 million loan used in the purchase of SMM. Mawere denies these claims, saying that purchase payments were guaranteed by a deposit of shares of the mining company instead.
Mawere urged the Parliamentary committee to scrap the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act which government used to takeover his SMM company. The Zimbabwe government, in turn, accuses Mawere of defrauding it.
Despite workers pleas for the handover of SMM, Justice and Legal Affairs minister Patrick Chianmasa is standing in the way of the hand over of the asbestos mine. Last week he tried to stop Parliament from talking to Mawere under the sub-judice rule, pointing out there were three current court cases involving the dispute. The Clerk’s
response was that the sub-judice rule limited debate in the House of Assembly, not the hearing of testimony by a committee. The committee chairperson said Chinamasa would have a chance to testify before the committee in due course. On Monday, the committee considered Mawere’s evidence.
Post published in: Economy