Former Mbada employees picket offices

By Brown Moyo

HARARE – Mbada Diamonds, one of the largest diamond mining companies in Zimbabwe is up in arms with its former employees who have besieged the company offices demanding unpaid salaries and exit packages.

The employees, currently camped at the Sam Levy complex where the company headquarters are situated have vowed to continue with their vigil until they are paid what is due to them.

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 that they have now entered day two of picketing at the company’s hq.

“We are on day two at Sam Levy, the company’s hq, however riot police was called in and it attacked peaceful workers who are demanding their money from their employer,” the source said.

“Two ladies and one male employee have been attacked” said the source.

The source said Mhlanga, who is around left the headquarters and accompanied an investor to Wengezi in Marange.

“The owner went to Marange with an investor but the ministers who were supposed to accompany him failed to pitch up.”

The employees also said they now hoped that Nehanda Radio will broadcast their plight to the world because all the media houses in Zimbabwe are under Mbada’s payroll.

“We are resting our case with you and you are our hope because in Zimbabwe all the media houses are not reporting on this issue because they are being paid by Mbada.”