Murowa Diamond Mine Calls Riot Police Amid Worker ...

Murowa Diamond Mine Calls Riot Police Amid Worker Strike

Witness Runodada ZimNow reporter

Tensions remain high at Murowa Diamond Mine on the eighth day of an ongoing workers’ strike, after management called in riot police for protection, claiming workers were becoming aggressive.

However, sources on the ground dispute the claims, accusing management of exaggerating the situation in a bid to force employees back to work.

According to inside sources, the workers believe management is attempting to mislead authorities and forcibly remove them from the mine. Riot police were reportedly deployed based on management’s claims of escalating aggression among the striking workers. However, upon arrival, the police found a situation that was far less volatile than what they had been led to expect.

“The riot team came prepared for unrest, but when they got here, what they found was totally different,” said one source. “There were no violent scenes, just workers refusing to return without their overdue payments.”

Sources told ZimNow that Chief Mazvihwa visited the site in an effort to negotiate with the striking workers. He urged them to resume duties despite the outstanding payments but failed to sway the workers, who remain steadfast in their demand for their dues.

In a significant development, Chief Mazvihwa reportedly held discussions with the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Allen Mashingaidze, and insisted that management meet the employees’ demands by the morning of July 19 if operations are to resume.

Meanwhile, further controversy has arisen after it emerged that Murowa management contacted the Ministry of Labour, seeking official intervention to declare the strike unlawful. “They wanted the ministry to declare that this is unlawful and workers should be back at work,” a source within the company told ZimNow.

Workers have reacted angrily to the move, accusing management of adopting coercive tactics and trying to use state institutions to pressure them into submission.

As the standoff continues, the future of operations at the Murowa mine remains uncertain. Workers are adamant they will not return to their posts until their demands are met, while management appears increasingly desperate to restore order and resume mining activities.