Dozens of former Shabani Mashaba Mines (SMM) employees have been left homeless after being forcibly evicted from their homes in Makwasi Village, despite promises of compensation and housing by their former employer. The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has raised alarm over the evictions, calling for urgent intervention and accountability from SMM administrator Mr. Afaras Gwarazimba.
Speaking to Great Dyke News ZDAMWU Secretary-General Justice Chinhema said that many of the affected workers had been living in the houses as part of an agreement with SMM, which owed them substantial amounts in unpaid salaries.
“The workers were given letters by SMM stating they could stay in the houses until they were paid their outstanding salaries. But instead of receiving their dues, they’ve been evicted, and some without any court orders,” Chinhema said.
According to Chinhema, the houses were sold to Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), initially as a 10-year rental agreement, but GZU has since acquired full ownership of the properties. With the university now seeking to use the houses for its own purposes, workers who had accepted the homes as part of their compensation package have been displaced without clarity on the status of their outstanding payments.
“There are people who accepted the houses as compensation, but they’ve been evicted from properties in places like Tamaria and King Mine. The situation is dire. These houses lack basic facilities like running water and toilets, and workers aren’t allowed to expand the properties to accommodate their families or belongings,” Chinhema added.
The union is demanding answers from the SMM administration regarding the compensation process. Workers are questioning the valuation of the houses offered, with some being given properties valued far below the amount they are owed. Others are now facing demands to pay the difference on houses that exceed their outstanding salaries, leaving them in a precarious financial position.
“A worker owed $15,000 was given a house worth only $6,000. Who is going to pay the balance, and when? On the other hand, some workers are being asked to pay for houses valued higher than what they are owed. This is an injustice,” Chinhema emphasized.
Additionally, many of the former employees had worked in SMM’s asbestos mines for over 20 years, but there has been no follow-up on their health conditions, despite the known risks associated with asbestos exposure. The union is calling for the immediate health assessments of the workers to ensure their well-being.
“The workers were exposed to asbestos for years, and no one has bothered to check their health. This is a crisis that needs to be addressed urgently,” said Chinhema.
The ZDAMWU has called on SMM’s administrator, Mr. Muttowsi Gorazimba, to respond to the workers’ concerns and provide clear answers regarding their compensation, housing titles, and the health issues stemming from their long-term exposure to hazardous working conditions.
“If Mr. Gorazimba is no longer the administrator, then the workers need to know where to direct their questions. These workers dedicated more than 20 years to SMM, and they deserve better than to be dumped by the roadside,” Chinhema concluded.
The evictions have sparked outrage among labor unions and affected families, with calls growing louder for an independent investigation into SMM’s handling of workers’ compensation and the sale of its properties. The workers are appealing for government intervention to ensure they receive what they are rightfully owed.
