Own Correspondent
The Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has evicted over 40 families of former Shabanie-Mashava Mine (SMM) workers, sparking controversy ahead of the university’s graduation ceremony next month, which will be attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“We have been waiting for our benefits since 2009, and now they are evicting us without paying us,” said Steven Togarepi Matongo, a former workers’ committee member. “It’s unfair to play games with us like this.”
GZU spokesperson Anderson Chipatiso denied that the evictions were related to the graduation ceremony, stating that the university was simply renovating its property.
“Most people being evicted were never employees of SMM,” he claimed. “We are not doing this because of the upcoming graduation, but because we want to renovate our property.”
However, Matongo disputed Chipatiso’s claims, saying that the former workers had been waiting for communication from the mine since they were laid off in 2009.
“The situation in Mashava Gaths Mine is dire because of the follow-up evictions,” he said. “We worked for the mine, and all we want is our benefits.”
Ward 3 Councillor Korowa Manyame confirmed that about 40 families had been evicted from their homes.
“The evictions started last week, and some residents are now stranded at Balmain shops with their property,” he said.
The evictions have raised concerns about the treatment of former mine workers and the involvement of Chinese nationals in the mining industry.
“This is not the first time we have seen such evictions,” said a local resident. “It’s a pattern of behavior that needs to be addressed.”
Zim GBC News©2024