More than 10 families have since been served with eviction
notices, while hundreds more face a similar fate.
RioZim took over the mine from Falcon Gold in 2016. The
evicted claim that they are owed nearly US$6 million and $240 million in unpaid
salaries dating back to 2013 when the mine was still under Falcon Gold
management.
Secretary general of National Mine Workers Union of
Zimbabwe Mr William Seremani said families are being given five days notice to
vacate their homes.
“What is happening at Dalny is devastating, families are
being evicted from the only homes they have known for many years.
“They are being given five days to move out after receiving
the eviction notices. This is unfair because their husbands died while still
serving and their contracts were never terminated. So, legally, they are
entitled to these houses as part of their benefits,” he said.
One of the widows, who has been evicted who refused to be
named, told The Sunday Mail that her future was uncertain.
She said she started living at the mine close to two
decades ago when her husband was employed as an excavator operator.
She is currently living in a temporary shelter. “I lived
with my three orphaned grandchildren and it pains me to be kicked out like this
because I have nowhere to go,” she said.
“My husband went on for years without being paid his
salary. The authorities kept promising that they would pay so we stayed on only
to be handed a notice to vacate in five days.”
A mine employee, who preferred to be identified as Jemwa,
said he last received his salary in 2014.
“I came from Chipinge more than two decades ago and I can
only leave the mine accommodation when they pay what they owe me because this
is all I have in life,” said Jemwa.
“Going back to Chipinge means I will have to start afresh
therefore I need my salary and benefits to get to my feet.”
Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union
secretary general Justice Chinhema said RioZim must pay the workers their dues.
RioZim once threatened to evict the employees years back but we engaged them
and questioned their stance because houses are part of the employees’ benefits
and they legally had no rights to evict them so they cancelled the process.
Employees are owed salaries since 2013 and others from 2014. RioZim
spokesperson Dr Wilson Gwatiringa refused to comment on the matter. Sunday Mail
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