Business / Companies
Zesa disconnects Shabanie Mine
06 Dec 2013 at 03:50hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company has disconnected power supplies to Shabanie Mine over an outstanding bill of $1,7 million.
Sources at the giant Zvishavane asbestos mine said ZETDC demanded a payment of $58, 000 before they could restore power. "Power was disconnected on Tuesday last week. Management raised $50,000 and paid to the power utility. Electricity was reconnected yesterday (Wednesday). This means the mine spent a week without electricity, said a source.
Concerned workers told Chronicle that ZETDC's action resulted in the flooding of the mine shafts.
They said the high power bill and subsequent disconnections were affecting efforts to turnaround the fortunes of the asbestos mine.
"We are struggling to fend for our families and our patience is fast being eroded by the developments taking place at our workplace. The Government should intervene for the sake of the welfare of workers. We have suffered enough, said a disgruntled worker.
ZETDC regional manager for the southern region Engineer King Dube refuted claims his organisation disconnected Shabanie Mine.
He also denied ever demanding a payment of $58,000 to reconnect the asbestos mine.
Said Eng Dube: "We cannot ask them (Shabanie Mine) to pay such a ridiculous amount. As far as we concerned they are connected. Ask your source when we disconnected Shabanie because I am not aware that they were disconnected. How can we ask them to pay such amounts when they have been failing to pay all along?
However, this was in direct contrast to views expressed by the National Assembly Member for Zvishavane-Ngezi, John Holder.
Holder said he was disappointed with the development at the mine.
He said many families whose breadwinners were employed by the mined continued to suffer while sister ministries fought.
"The disconnection of power at the mine is quite disturbing, I am not happy at all. I phoned the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Fred Moyo who is a colleague, informing him about the development. President Mugabe spoke about the mining sector playing a pivotal role in resuscitating the economy but it appears other people are not supportive of that position, said Holder.
The Zvishavane-Ngezi legislator said the mine employees were now spending crucial production hours clearing water from the shafts as a result of the power disconnection.
Said Holder: "The mine team is busy dewatering to keep the water levels low. What the power utility did is an act of sabotage in my view. Someone does not want the mine to run. The mine is under Government administration and has a life span of upwards of 40 years. Its products have a ready market on the world market. This is why I think someone is deliberately sabotaging the mine.
Holder said the mine management was not helping the situation as it was avoiding him.
He said management was avoiding him over the welfare of workers.
Holder said the workers were not being paid and a majority of them were now resorting to camping at his doorstep seeking a solution over their salary issue.
Sources at the giant Zvishavane asbestos mine said ZETDC demanded a payment of $58, 000 before they could restore power. "Power was disconnected on Tuesday last week. Management raised $50,000 and paid to the power utility. Electricity was reconnected yesterday (Wednesday). This means the mine spent a week without electricity, said a source.
Concerned workers told Chronicle that ZETDC's action resulted in the flooding of the mine shafts.
They said the high power bill and subsequent disconnections were affecting efforts to turnaround the fortunes of the asbestos mine.
"We are struggling to fend for our families and our patience is fast being eroded by the developments taking place at our workplace. The Government should intervene for the sake of the welfare of workers. We have suffered enough, said a disgruntled worker.
ZETDC regional manager for the southern region Engineer King Dube refuted claims his organisation disconnected Shabanie Mine.
He also denied ever demanding a payment of $58,000 to reconnect the asbestos mine.
Said Eng Dube: "We cannot ask them (Shabanie Mine) to pay such a ridiculous amount. As far as we concerned they are connected. Ask your source when we disconnected Shabanie because I am not aware that they were disconnected. How can we ask them to pay such amounts when they have been failing to pay all along?
However, this was in direct contrast to views expressed by the National Assembly Member for Zvishavane-Ngezi, John Holder.
Holder said he was disappointed with the development at the mine.
He said many families whose breadwinners were employed by the mined continued to suffer while sister ministries fought.
"The disconnection of power at the mine is quite disturbing, I am not happy at all. I phoned the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Fred Moyo who is a colleague, informing him about the development. President Mugabe spoke about the mining sector playing a pivotal role in resuscitating the economy but it appears other people are not supportive of that position, said Holder.
The Zvishavane-Ngezi legislator said the mine employees were now spending crucial production hours clearing water from the shafts as a result of the power disconnection.
Said Holder: "The mine team is busy dewatering to keep the water levels low. What the power utility did is an act of sabotage in my view. Someone does not want the mine to run. The mine is under Government administration and has a life span of upwards of 40 years. Its products have a ready market on the world market. This is why I think someone is deliberately sabotaging the mine.
Holder said the mine management was not helping the situation as it was avoiding him.
He said management was avoiding him over the welfare of workers.
Holder said the workers were not being paid and a majority of them were now resorting to camping at his doorstep seeking a solution over their salary issue.
Source - chronicle
