Violence at mine…as workers demand salaries

PENHALONGA – Violence broke out here on Tuesday afternoon when workers at Redwing Mine and their families burnt security shelters at the mine in protest of their outstanding salaries owed to them for one and half years.

Redwing Mine is owned and operated by King’s Daughter Mining Company Limited (Metallon Corporation). Redwing Mine was closed in 2005 then resumed production in 2015 following dewatering.Redwing Mine is located in Manicaland province in the east of Zimbabwe, about 20 kilometres north-east of the city of Mutare.

About 300 workers and their families teamed up at Redwing Mine premises and scaled the main gate to the entrance and burnt the security shelters as they demanded salaries they claimed are backed dated to one and half years back.

According to a member of the company’s workers committee, workers downed their tools last week on Thursday demanding to be paid their one and half year’s outstanding salaries.

“And today (Tuesday) we have decided to protest against the outstanding salaries because we do not have any income. We have been joined by our wives and other family members who are in solidarity,”said the member.

Police from Penhalonga police station moved in swiftly and managed to contain the situation.

Management at the mine refused to talk to the press, but, were running around in trying to save the situation, as the angry strikers sang songs moving towards the main offices.

More to follow…