CSC workers protest

Disgruntled Cold Storage Company (CSC) workers  in Bulawayo stormed management offices demanding outstanding salaries dating back to 2009.

The workers alleged that the  company's chief executive officer, Ngoni Chinogaramombe was paying himself and other managers hefty salaries, buying brand new cars and awarding themselves weekly allowances when the company was on its knees.

"They're living large. We've not had a full salary as from 2009. These managers get a weekly allowance of airtime, every month they get a full salary and they can even afford to buy brand new vehicles," said Davies Nkala, the chairperson of the workers' committee.

"Where's that money coming from when they're telling the world that production is low? We're suffering at their expense. This rot must be exposed."

Chinogaramombe, however, denied the allegation.

"We do appreciate the disgruntlement from the workers. At the moment CSC is operating at very low capacity. The plant was designed to slaughter 800 cattle a day. I can tell you that in the month of May, a total of 1,500 cattle were slaughtered. That is supposed to be a two-day slaughter," he said.

He said so far the workers had been paid a total of $15,000 in salaries from May.

"As from May, $15,000 has gone towards salaries for the workers. We're expecting more funds next week that will go towards salaries. The monthly net bill is $49,000. On average, we've been paying about $30,000 in salaries from 2014. How does anyone expect CSC to have cash when the whole economy is struggling," said Chinogaramombe.