Shabanie Mine workers turn to illegal gold-panning, wood poaching.

The giant asbestos mine suspended production about two years ago and has since stopped paying salaries.  The workers have been sent on unpaid indefinite leave.

A  Chronicle news crew which visited the mine and toured the mine compound of Maglas recently discovered that the workers were struggling to make ends meet.
The situation according to workers was now desperate.

There was a heap of firewood at almost every house and according to workers, the wood is poached from nearby farms for sale in the town.

They said some managers were using company vehicles to pirate in order to raise money to fend for their families.

The workers said the managers could be seen jostling for commuters with other private motorists that are in the business of ferrying people from town to areas on the outskirts of the town such as Mazvihwa.
“There is nothing we can do my friend, we have families to fend for back home and things continue to fall apart at our company. What then do you expect us to do? We had to come up with a survival plan and this is what we are doing at the moment,” said one of the  middle managers who as was waiting for commuters at Mandava long distance bus  terminus.-Chronicle

You Might Also Like

Comments