Business / Companies
Vumbachikwe Mine moves to evict workers still occupying company houses after 2022 closure
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GWANDA, Matabeleland South - Management at the struggling Vumbachikwe Mine has filed court summons seeking the eviction of two workers from company-owned houses, despite hundreds of others still occupying the premises following the mine's closure in November 2022 due to financial difficulties.
The mine, which ceased operations on November 8, 2022, shut down after workers embarked on a strike over unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and other grievances. The unrest, sparked by workers' spouses demanding overdue wages, resulted in violent protests, property destruction, and the eventual loss of over 1,000 jobs.
To date, the company reportedly owes workers several months of unpaid wages and allowances. Many of the stranded employees, unable to return to their hometowns due to lack of funds, have continued living in company houses, hoping to receive their dues and move on with their lives. However, nearly three years later, that hope has yet to materialize.
In a surprising turn of events, two workers - Sifelani Nkomo and Visitor Gumbo - have been served with eviction summons by the mine's parent company, Forbes and Thompson (Bulawayo) Pvt Ltd, under unclear circumstances. The workers are accused of unspecified misconduct.
"We are the only two who have been served with eviction summons. The rest are still in the company houses," said Gumbo. "We couldn't appear in court, but we have a pending appeal at the Labour Court which suspended the initial dismissal."
Nkomo, confirming receipt of the summons on May 29, added: "We don't even understand the basis for our eviction. We were told it was related to bribery and corruption, but no clear explanation has been given. I've filed a notice of intention to defend."
The summons, dated May 23, 2025, and filed through the mine's legal representatives - Mlweli Ndlovu and Associates - gave the workers seven days to vacate the premises or file a defense.
"The Plaintiff's claim is for: (a) An order for the eviction of the Defendant and all those claiming occupation through the Defendant from Vumbachikwe Mine, specifically D4, New Houses; (b) Costs of suit," the court documents read.
The workers have since filed notices to defend, and the matter is pending a hearing.
Former Workers' Committee Chairperson Gibson Sibanda, who vacated the premises two years ago, described the situation at the mine as "pathetic."
"I left the mine two years ago. Life was unbearable," he said.
In 2024, witnessing the workers' worsening plight, about 30 church denominations organized a march and prayer session for divine intervention. Pastors highlighted growing social issues, including increased prostitution and sexually transmitted infections, as many families struggled to survive.
"Some men have abandoned their families. Children are no longer attending school due to unpaid fees," said Zion Church Pastor Lovemore Dube, who helped organize the prayer meeting. The march ended with a prayer service at Long John Stadium.
Apostolic Faith Mission Pastor Mibaf Dube added: "We realized how badly people were suffering. Most of the men have left, and life here is not good at all."
Since the mine's closure, management has failed to resume operations or clear workers' outstanding wages, rendering many destitute. Reports also highlight environmental concerns, such as substandard gold processing facilities that pose risks of cyanide leakage - a serious threat to humans and animals.
Vumbachikwe recently initiated a small-scale gold processing project using ore sourced from artisanal miners. Spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa claimed this marked the mine's return to production. However, local residents criticized the initiative, arguing it pales in comparison to the mine's peak operations, which employed around 1,000 workers and processed 300 tons of gold ore.
"The new setup includes just two 10-beat hammer mills, a jaw crusher, and a few leaching tanks," a source said. "It's a far cry from what the mine used to be, and the site is not safe - especially with chemicals like cyanide being used in unsecured areas."
Currently, only around 100 workers remain employed, reportedly earning as little as US\$100 per month, and even that is sometimes delayed. The company is said to still owe significant back pay dating to before the 2022 closure.
Forbes and Thompson Pvt Ltd is now under corporate rescue proceedings, a court-supervised effort to replace existing management with a professional administrator to try and salvage the business. According to court documents, the company owes over US\$10 million to creditors, ZESA over US\$1 million, and ZIMRA more than US\$2.5 million.
A forensic report by Forfar Forensics painted a bleak outlook for workers, noting slim chances of returning to stable operations.
In a statement to state media on November 24, 2024, Mukondiwa claimed the mine was working to restore normalcy after the "barbaric" events of November 2022 that saw the mine and clinic shut down.
"With the commissioning of the small-scale project, and efforts to rehabilitate the mine clinic, we hope to resume full operations soon," Mukondiwa said.
Still, the company's decision to selectively evict workers amid unresolved labour disputes has drawn sharp criticism.
"This is heartless and potentially a gross violation of labour rights," said a source close to the affected workers.
The mine, which ceased operations on November 8, 2022, shut down after workers embarked on a strike over unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and other grievances. The unrest, sparked by workers' spouses demanding overdue wages, resulted in violent protests, property destruction, and the eventual loss of over 1,000 jobs.
To date, the company reportedly owes workers several months of unpaid wages and allowances. Many of the stranded employees, unable to return to their hometowns due to lack of funds, have continued living in company houses, hoping to receive their dues and move on with their lives. However, nearly three years later, that hope has yet to materialize.
In a surprising turn of events, two workers - Sifelani Nkomo and Visitor Gumbo - have been served with eviction summons by the mine's parent company, Forbes and Thompson (Bulawayo) Pvt Ltd, under unclear circumstances. The workers are accused of unspecified misconduct.
"We are the only two who have been served with eviction summons. The rest are still in the company houses," said Gumbo. "We couldn't appear in court, but we have a pending appeal at the Labour Court which suspended the initial dismissal."
Nkomo, confirming receipt of the summons on May 29, added: "We don't even understand the basis for our eviction. We were told it was related to bribery and corruption, but no clear explanation has been given. I've filed a notice of intention to defend."
The summons, dated May 23, 2025, and filed through the mine's legal representatives - Mlweli Ndlovu and Associates - gave the workers seven days to vacate the premises or file a defense.
"The Plaintiff's claim is for: (a) An order for the eviction of the Defendant and all those claiming occupation through the Defendant from Vumbachikwe Mine, specifically D4, New Houses; (b) Costs of suit," the court documents read.
The workers have since filed notices to defend, and the matter is pending a hearing.
Former Workers' Committee Chairperson Gibson Sibanda, who vacated the premises two years ago, described the situation at the mine as "pathetic."
"I left the mine two years ago. Life was unbearable," he said.
In 2024, witnessing the workers' worsening plight, about 30 church denominations organized a march and prayer session for divine intervention. Pastors highlighted growing social issues, including increased prostitution and sexually transmitted infections, as many families struggled to survive.
"Some men have abandoned their families. Children are no longer attending school due to unpaid fees," said Zion Church Pastor Lovemore Dube, who helped organize the prayer meeting. The march ended with a prayer service at Long John Stadium.
Apostolic Faith Mission Pastor Mibaf Dube added: "We realized how badly people were suffering. Most of the men have left, and life here is not good at all."
Since the mine's closure, management has failed to resume operations or clear workers' outstanding wages, rendering many destitute. Reports also highlight environmental concerns, such as substandard gold processing facilities that pose risks of cyanide leakage - a serious threat to humans and animals.
Vumbachikwe recently initiated a small-scale gold processing project using ore sourced from artisanal miners. Spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa claimed this marked the mine's return to production. However, local residents criticized the initiative, arguing it pales in comparison to the mine's peak operations, which employed around 1,000 workers and processed 300 tons of gold ore.
"The new setup includes just two 10-beat hammer mills, a jaw crusher, and a few leaching tanks," a source said. "It's a far cry from what the mine used to be, and the site is not safe - especially with chemicals like cyanide being used in unsecured areas."
Currently, only around 100 workers remain employed, reportedly earning as little as US\$100 per month, and even that is sometimes delayed. The company is said to still owe significant back pay dating to before the 2022 closure.
Forbes and Thompson Pvt Ltd is now under corporate rescue proceedings, a court-supervised effort to replace existing management with a professional administrator to try and salvage the business. According to court documents, the company owes over US\$10 million to creditors, ZESA over US\$1 million, and ZIMRA more than US\$2.5 million.
A forensic report by Forfar Forensics painted a bleak outlook for workers, noting slim chances of returning to stable operations.
In a statement to state media on November 24, 2024, Mukondiwa claimed the mine was working to restore normalcy after the "barbaric" events of November 2022 that saw the mine and clinic shut down.
"With the commissioning of the small-scale project, and efforts to rehabilitate the mine clinic, we hope to resume full operations soon," Mukondiwa said.
Still, the company's decision to selectively evict workers amid unresolved labour disputes has drawn sharp criticism.
"This is heartless and potentially a gross violation of labour rights," said a source close to the affected workers.
Source - Byo24News
