Mbada Diamonds: Workers Protest in Pictures

HARARE – Mbada Diamonds, one of the largest diamond mining companies in Zimbabwe, is embroiled in a long running dispute with former employees who have besieged the main offices demanding unpaid salaries and exit packages.

The dispute has been rumbling on for months and determined former workers have now camped at the head offices in the posh Sam Levy complex in Harare. Riot police have on several occasions been called to monitor the volatile atmosphere.

From the pictures its clear the workers are eating and sleeping at the premises and have vowed not to leave until their demands are met.

Mbada is owned by president Robert Mugabe’s former pilot, Robert Mhlanga and towards the end of last year the company declared surpassing the US$1 billion mark in turnover.

Addressing members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Mhlanga said: “We have exceeded the $1 billion turnover mark and the bulk of the money is for the fiscus.

“The bulk of our production and money goes to government funds, with royalties currently at 15%, depletion of resources 5% and other taxations to government.

“Mbada Diamonds has contributed 75% of the revenue in the fiscus. During the crisis over civil servants’ salaries, Mbada was contributing $15 to $20 million a week to the fiscus,” Mhlanga said.

Contrary to reports that the company has hit an all time low because diamonds are running out, Mhlanga told the same portfolio that diamond reserves are still available in Marange.

Mbada is also well known for being one of Zanu PF’s traditional sponsors when it holds its annual conferences, independence celebrations and even Mugabe’s birthday bashes like the one held last week in Victoria Falls.

The mining company was, at one time, rumoured to have been sponsoring First Lady Grace Mugabe’s “meet the people” rallies that turned into a platform for an attack on then vice president Joice Mujuru who has since lost her job as the country’s and Zanu PF second in command.

One of the employees told Nehanda Radio this week that riot police was called in and had attacked peaceful workers who are peacefully demanding their money from their employer. Two ladies and one male employee were attacked he said.