By Victor Fanuel
Zvishavane – Murowa Diamonds workers in Mazvihwa, Midlands Province, have downed tools after going five months without pay.
The workers declared a strike on Wednesday after tabling a string of grievances, including unfair labour practices, lack of spares to repair broken-down equipment, unpaid salaries, and poor communication from management.
Murowa, which is part-owned by RioZim, produced 419,042 carats in 2022.
Workers say production could be scaled up if the company had a proper equipment maintenance plan.
The strike has escalated, deepening Zimbabwe’s diamond sector crisis and raising questions over corporate governance at the RioZim-owned mine.
This job action follows prolonged delays in salary payments dating back to February.
Workers say the situation has left families struggling to survive, while conditions at the mine continue to deteriorate.
“This further deepens the crisis in the sector,” said Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) general secretary Justice Chinhema, confirming the sit-in.
Workers blame poor financial planning and neglect for the mine’s decline and have named senior executives Rajgopal Swami, Cleopas Benza, and Jasmine Njanike in complaints over mismanagement, lack of investment in safety gear, and failure to maintain critical equipment.
This is the second major strike at Murowa in under a year.
In October 2024, over 300 workers walked off the job after two months without pay.
Civil society organisations have also repeatedly flagged labour rights violations at the mine.
Earlier this year, ZESA cut power to the operation over a US$4.5 million debt, further disrupting production and deepening the company’s financial woes.
ZDAMWU has called for urgent government intervention across Zimbabwe’s diamond sector, warning that unrest is spreading.
ZCDC is reportedly laying off 600 workers without compensation, while Anjin employees have protested four months of salary arrears.
“The diamond sector is in turmoil, crippled by a triple threat of plummeting productivity, rampant illicit trade, and a devastating labour crisis,” said the union.
Murowa workers have submitted a list of demands, including immediate payment of outstanding wages, restoration of salary schedules, provision of spares and protective equipment, reinstatement of transport, and accountability from management.
A workers’ committee representative warned of a total shutdown if demands are ignored.
“Enough is enough. We are tired of empty promises and being treated like we don’t matter,” said the spokesperson.
Repeated efforts to get a response from Murowa management were unsuccessful, as phones for HR Superintendent Munyaradzi Mungaraza and General Manager Jonathan Mapisaunga went unanswered.
With pressure mounting, attention is now on RioZim and the government to intervene before operations collapse entirely.
