MacDonald Bricks shut down, workers protest

Workers at MacDonald Bricks in Bulawayo on Monday demonstrated over the forced closure of the firm on Saturday accusing management of not being pro-active.

Two weeks ago, the Environment Management Agency (EMA) gave an order for the firm situated along Bulawayo - Harare highway to shut down and take measures to reduce pollution emissions.

However, the firm authorities ignored the order, workers say.

On Saturday EMA closed the plant.

Workers say the management though they would get away with ignoring EMA warnings.

"We have long told our bosses that the plant machinery needs to be upgrading to reduce air pollution. But they always ignored us saying they don't have money and emissions are not that bad," said a worker who identified himself as Masina.

Masina claimed that they were not advice that the plant has been closed at the weekend.

MacDonald Bricks managing director Lonely Nyathi was not answering his mobile in the morning and guards at the premises where not allowing people to enter.

But he recently told the media that “We cannot comment on ongoing investigations in detail. Suffice it to say that we are in discussions with EMA to ensure uninterrupted operation of all MacDonald Brick plant and will concurrently continue to invest to ensure MacDonald's complies to environmental best practice.

"A plan setting out these steps has been submitted to EMA, and we are awaiting their response. MacDonald's will fulfill its order, business continues as usual," Nyathi is quoted saying.

Traffic is temporarily blocked outside the firm.

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