Source: DUST IN THEIR LUNGS AND HOPE IN THE HEARTS. . . The story of Zimbabweans seeking redress after toiling in SA mines . . . Compensation for the long-suffering ex-mine workers now imminent – herald Theseus Shambare FOR Davison Raphain, the coughing never stops. He sits on a wooden chair at his son-in-law’s house […]
He sits on a wooden chair at his son-in-law’s house in Waterfalls, Harare, a thin blanket draped over his knees.
At 70, his breathing is heavy and laboured — a haunting rhythm shaped by decades spent underground in South Africa’s gold mines. He coughs, then pauses, scratching his swollen legs, the itch relentless.
“They say it is TB (tuberculosis),” he murmured, forcing a weak smile.
Davison left Zimbabwe in 1974 as a 20-year-old to chase hope in the neighbouring country.
He joined thousands of Zimbabweans recruited under the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela), the labour pipeline that fed Southern Africa’s gold mining empire.
At first, his job was to haul ore from the depths of Driefontein Mine, before being promoted to an underground train driver.
For 40 years, he only knew heat, darkness and dust.
He subsequently married and had three daughters, one of whom has since passed away.
When his wife died in 2022, Davison had already begun feeling that something was eating him from the inside.
He now shuttles between his rural home in Mhondoro and Harare to receive treatment, supported by his son-in-law.
“I feel like I am carrying a bag of stones. But I thank God I can still speak. Many of my friends did not make it,” he said, pressing his legs gently.
When his old friend Smart Paundi (66) visits from the same village, the reunion is both joyous and tragic.
Smart Paundi
Both men cough through their laughter.
They talk of the tunnels that swallowed many, of the songs they sang in the dark to stay awake and of the promises that never came true.
Smart spent four years at Blyvooruitzicht Mine, moving from ore handling to electrical maintenance.
He, too, returned home with TB, a legacy of silica dust and confinement.
“We came back weak and sick, without pensions or recognition. We were used up like candles,” he said.
From Njanja in Chivhu, 74-year-old Cephas Zimbudzi nurses the same pain.
“We buried many friends in those tunnels. They died coughing before they saw justice. Maybe God has kept me alive for this moment,” he notes.
Zimbudzi was employed at a mine owned by ERPM (East Rand Proprietary Mines), 78 levels below ground.
“We were given nothing but shorts to cover our private parts,” he said.
“We were treated like animals before entering the tunnels. Many never returned.”
Cephas Zimbudzi
In Masvingo, 73-year-old Jairos Makamure had failed to find work in Rhodesia and considered joining the liberation struggle before ending up in South Africa’s mines in 1975.
“I worked 38 levels deep,” he says, his voice breaking.
“I nearly lost my hand drilling. Many colleagues were killed and buried in the tunnels.”
For John Tatire from Marange, Manicaland province, the story cuts even deeper.
He still remembers enduring a strong smell while in hospital after an explosion.
On April 13, 1976, a blast underground left him unconscious for three days.
“When I opened my eyes, I was in a dirty ward.
“They had placed a bucket for a toilet and it was emptied only after days. The smell stayed with me.”
John spent three months in that hospital, his pelvis fractured.
When he returned to Zimbabwe, unpaid and broken, poverty drove him back to the mines, but the conditions remained bad.
In 1978, he gave up, returning home to join the liberation war as a mujibha.
He vividly recalls the humiliation they went through in South Africa.
“The first two weeks in training were torture. We were locked in a hot room for hours, forced to exercise and even made to wear dresses instead of shorts. It was meant to break our dignity,” he revealed.
The mine where he worked, which was owned by ERPM, housed 28 men per room, a chaotic mix of nationalities.
“There was no privacy, no peace. Fights were common — Mozambicans, Zambians, Basotho and Zimbabweans. The companies wanted us divided, so we never united against them,” he said.
“The food was terrible. Some men found comfort with local women, which caused more bloodshed. Families in Zimbabwe were destroyed. We were all broken by that system.”
The mines were deathtraps, he said, with little regard for safety.
“Supervisors forced us to work in dangerous shafts to meet quotas. Rocks would fall, tunnels collapse and men die. Some are still buried down there.”
John still walks with a limp from his fractured pelvis, which stiffens during winter.
“I lost friends to TB and silicosis. They worked themselves to death and never saw justice. We deserve compensation,” he said softly.
Push for justice
Across Southern Africa, over 500 000 mineworkers are estimated to have contracted silicosis or TB while working in South African mines.
An estimated 1 500 to 2 000 were Zimbabweans who returned home without pensions or recognition.
For decades, these men have lived with the scars of an industry that once promised prosperity — their lungs clouded with dust, their dignity buried in forgotten shafts.
The long-running struggle for justice dates back to a landmark class action in which former mineworkers from across the region sued major South African gold companies for failing to protect them.
After years of litigation, the South African High Court approved a settlement in July 2019, leading to the creation of the Tshiamiso Trust.
The trust now administers once-off compensation payments ranging from R10 000 to R250 000 — and up to R500 000 in exceptional cases.
For many of these men, the trust represents more than money.
It is an acknowledgment of their pain — and a step towards restoring dignity to lives long forgotten by the industry they helped build.
For the first time in decades, the wind seems to be shifting.
A new dawn
The Tshiamiso Trust and Zimbabwe’s National Social Security Authority (NSSA) have launched a joint programme to compensate former mineworkers who contracted silicosis or TB in qualifying South African mines.
The agreement, signed recently in Harare, opens clinics in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru for medical examinations and claims processing.
Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda, chief executive officer of the Tshiamiso Trust, described the initiative as “a milestone in restoring dignity to Southern Africa’s forgotten miners”.
“We are delivering on the promise made to the men and families who built the mining industry. Thousands of Zimbabweans have waited for decades for this moment,” he said.
NSSA chief executive officer Dr Charles Shava said Zimbabwe is home to many who spent their lives working in South African mines and returned home with illnesses that changed their lives.
“Through this collaboration, we are ensuring that those who qualify can now access the compensation due to them closer to where they live,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Simon Masanga called the programme “the beginning of long-overdue justice”.
“For too long, these men lived and died in silence. This partnership ensures they are not forgotten,” he noted.
Safe migration
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that over 7,9 million people in Southern Africa work outside their home countries — many in informal or high-risk sectors.
In Zimbabwe, labour migration remains both an opportunity and a risk.
Recently, the country signed a bilateral labour agreement with Rwanda, formalising the deployment of skilled Zimbabweans in education and health sectors under safe, regulated frameworks.
But not all migration ends in dignity.
Dozens of Zimbabweans, particularly women, have been trafficked to Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where they were forced into domestic servitude or sexual exploitation under false job promises.
Others, lured by fake recruiters, have been trapped in Asia and Europe, working long hours in care homes or construction sites without pay or protection.
In response, Zimbabwe, with ILO support, has established migration resource centres in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare — providing pre-departure counselling, legal guidance and information to promote safe migration.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said the centres are part of efforts to promote “safe, orderly and dignified migration”.
“Migrants contribute significantly to both host and home economies, but they must never do so at the expense of their rights or dignity,” he said.
For Davison and others like him, those words carry the weight of decades.
He coughs again, then looks towards the fading sunlight.
“The mines took everything. But if what they are saying now is true, maybe justice is finally coming,” he said softly.
His friend Smart nods in agreement.
“They called us cheap labour. But we built nations with our hands.”
Source: NRZ Pension Fund explores diversified income-generating investments – herald Zimpapers Business Hub THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) Pension Fund is exploring diversified income-generating investments in local and regional markets to preserve capital and ensure sustainable growth. The NRZ Pension Fund is a self-administered pension fund, which began on October 4, 1949. The fund’s […]
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) Pension Fund is exploring diversified income-generating investments in local and regional markets to preserve capital and ensure sustainable growth.
The NRZ Pension Fund is a self-administered pension fund, which began on October 4, 1949.
The fund’s chief executive officer, Mrs Chipo Hlabangana, said it was focused on preserving value while identifying growth opportunities across alternative asset classes and investments that complement its long-term pension obligations.
“The fund is currently reviewing several opportunities consistent with its Strategic Investment Plan, with priority given to stable, income-generating assets and regulated counterparties offering robust governance and credit enhancement,” she said.
She said the fund’s investments have continued to deliver solid returns, reflected in the reduction of void spaces across the property portfolio and improved occupancy levels following critical refurbishment projects.
Enhanced asset management, she added, has resulted in increased tenant retention and greater rental income stability.
“We allocate across property (a core strategic holding of circa 57 percent), listed and unlisted shares, fixed income/corporate bonds, cash and selective alternative investments,” she added.
“We are integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) and seeking to improve liquidity via instruments such as the Chisipite redevelopment, the Revitus Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and a few others in the pipeline.”
She said construction of the Chisipite Mall in Harare, which is now 60 percent complete, was progressing steadily.
“With its strategic location and visionary design, Chisipite aims to transform the surrounding area into a vibrant mall, attracting both local and international customers, as well as offering a unique shopping experience to consumers,” she said.
“In parallel, tenant onboarding is actively in progress, with a strong pipeline of interest from different tenants, in retail, hospitality and healthcare. We still have open space for any other potential tenants that may want space at the mall.”
She said their leasing team was working to curate a well-balanced tenant mix that will offer shoppers diversity in product and service offerings.
The NRZ Pension Fund, she added, was also implementing a rooftop solar PV project across its commercial properties nationwide.
“The initiative involves installing solar panels on building rooftops to generate clean, renewable energy for the fund’s operational needs, with excess power to be supplied to the regional electricity grid.”
There are also plans to develop carbon project documentation and assets in line with the Zimbabwe Carbon Market Authority (ZiCMA) regulations.
“The project will be registered under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG) framework, enabling the fund to generate additional revenue from verified emission reduction (VER) credits,” she added.
On the Revitus REIT, Mrs Hlabangana said they had successfully onboarded a hotel operator, Leva Hotel Group, a Dubai-based hospitality brand expanding into Zimbabwe, while the property will trade under the name “Chester by Leva”, formerly Chester House in Harare.
Construction was scheduled to commence in 2026, with current progress focused on procurement and structural assessments.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in the REIT’s growth strategy and underscores its commitment to attracting reputable international brands to Zimbabwe’s real estate sector.”
She also said the fund’s investment strategy is centred on increasing overall portfolio returns, diversifying into new sectors and markets, as well as preserving long-term value to meet ongoing pension obligations.
Mrs Hlabangana said the fund maintains a diversified investment portfolio comprising real estate, financial instruments and alternative assets designed to optimise returns while managing risk exposure.
“Yes, the fund owns real estate assets outside Zimbabwe, specifically in the United Kingdom, as part of its global diversification strategy. The fund’s property portfolio currently has an occupancy rate of approximately 88 percent, reflecting strong tenant retention and effective property management practices,” she said.
“The fund does not hold any derelict properties. All properties within the portfolio are actively managed and maintained, ensuring compliance with operational standards while preserving long-term asset value.”
The NRZ Pension Fund recently held a stakeholder engagement event at the Vicinity Complex (formerly QV House) in Bulawayo, which was recently repurposed in an effort to modernise it.
Several key areas at the complex have undergone significant renovations.
The focus was on creating a contemporary environment, particularly by installing clean, glassy cubicles that enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space.
Source: US$80m Chegutu cement plant to be commissioned within six months – herald Sunday Mail Reporter THE US$80 million cement plant in Chegutu by Shuntai Investments, which is now 55 percent complete, is set to be commissioned within the next six months. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce over 800 000 tonnes of […]
THE US$80 million cement plant in Chegutu by Shuntai Investments, which is now 55 percent complete, is set to be commissioned within the next six months.
Once operational, the facility is expected to produce over 800 000 tonnes of cement annually.
The development is set to boost Zimbabwe’s domestic cement supply, stabilise prices and reduce dependence on imports.
The operation, which will use environmentally friendly technology, is one of the country’s largest industrial investments in recent years.
Shuntai Investments administration manager Mr Yan Bo said most of the critical equipment for the project had already been delivered, with installation work now underway.
“At this moment, we are about 55 percent of the overall completion of this project,” he said.
“The cement plant will be producing 800 000 tonnes per year. As we can see, all the main equipment has already been delivered; more than 65 percent is on site. We are now doing power lines and the installation of equipment.”
He said the total investment in the project will exceed US$120 million.
“So far, we have invested more than US$80 million. By the time we finish, the total investment will be over US$120 million,” he said.
“We expect the project to be completed within the next six months. We are now working at full speed after losing time due to a court delay.”
Mr Yan said the plant would be one of the most technologically advanced in the region, designed to reduce emissions and production costs while maintaining high efficiency.
“This is a high-level, fully integrated technology plant. It will not cause any environmental harm and will benefit surrounding communities,” he said.
“Using locally available raw materials will also help us lower production costs, translating to more affordable cement prices.”
So far, over 300 people from Chegutu have been employed at the site, with the number expected to rise significantly once the plant becomes operational.
“So far, we have employed 300 local youths, and across all our operations, we are looking at about 4 000 people in total.
“For the Chegutu plant, we have set up January of next year as our completion target.”
As part of its green industrialisation strategy, Shuntai has introduced several environmentally friendly initiatives, including the use of electric vehicles and loaders on-site to minimise pollution.
“From the gate, you can see our electric cars and loaders,” said Mr Yan.
“These are part of our broader effort to eliminate diesel-powered machinery and promote clean industrial operations.”
Mr Henry Madovi of Sany Equipment Zimbabwe, which supplies some of the heavy machinery, praised the company for adopting electric-powered equipment and called on other industries to follow suit.
“The equipment that we are using at the cement plant is electric-driven. What it means is we are taking the lead to protect our environment by bringing in this electric-powered equipment,” he said.
“As Zimbabwe industrialises, there is a need to start thinking of ways to educate our investors on the benefits of eco-friendly trucks.”
Mr Austin Kadzinga, one of the employees, said: “I started working here in February last year, and my life has changed for the better. Many people in Chegutu are now employed, and the town is growing into a busy economic hub.”
Another worker, Mr Shadreck Mutemba, said he had witnessed the project’s transformation from humble beginnings into a major industrial site.
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter THE Government has called for the swift finalisation and implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and a comprehensive regional framework for skills recognition within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This strategic move is aimed at allowing skilled and semi-skilled citizens to move freely across the region, maximising their contribution […]
THE Government has called for the swift finalisation and implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and a comprehensive regional framework for skills recognition within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
This strategic move is aimed at allowing skilled and semi-skilled citizens to move freely across the region, maximising their contribution to member states’ economies, addressing critical labour market demands and curbing irregular migration.
The urgent call was made by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, during her address at the Ministerial Meeting of the Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA), held recently here in Victoria Falls.
The high-level meeting, which brought together ministers responsible for home affairs, labour and immigration from across the SADC region, was held under the theme: Promoting Regional Integration through Sustaining Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration in the Southern African Region.
Dr Ndlovu said while labour migration has historically been the backbone of the regional economy, its full potential remains stifled by fragmented policies and a lack of skills portability.
“Labour migration has been the historical backbone of our regional economy, yet its potential remains constrained by fragmented policies and a lack of skills portability,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She emphasised the conclusions of the conference’s second roundtable, which tackled the crucial need for fair, ethical and effective labour migration governance.
“The priority now is the expeditious finalisation and implementation of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and a comprehensive Regional Framework for skills recognition
“This will allow our skilled and semi-skilled citizens to move freely and contribute maximally to all our economies, addressing labour market demands and reducing irregular migration,” she said.
Furthermore, Dr Ndlovu urged the entire SADC region to commit to streamlining the often cumbersome and lengthy processes for verifying professional and academic qualifications.
“Let us commit to streamlining qualification verification processes, making them faster, more transparent and ultimately, a reality for every SADC worker,” she said.
This push for a harmonised skills framework is seen as a critical step towards deeper regional integration.
It would enable, for instance, a qualified engineer from Zimbabwe, a nurse from Malawi or an IT technician from Zambia to have their credentials recognised seamlessly in another SADC country, thus filling skills gaps and promoting knowledge transfer.
The MIDSA meeting concluded with a renewed dedication from member states to translate political commitments into tangible action.
The finalisation of the skills recognition framework is positioned as a cornerstone for creating a SADC region where migration is not only safe and orderly but also a powerful engine for shared economic growth and development.
The success of this initiative hinges on the political will to break down bureaucratic barriers and foster a truly integrated regional labour market.
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter THE rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road will continue despite the coming rain season with contractors expected to concentrate on other works not affected by the rains. The road is set to be completed by June next year. Speaking to Zimpapers, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona […]
THE rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road will continue despite the coming rain season with contractors expected to concentrate on other works not affected by the rains.
The road is set to be completed by June next year.
Speaking to Zimpapers, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona said the approaching rain season is a key consideration in the national infrastructure planning.
“While weather conditions can pose challenges, our contractors are expected and prepared to continue with critical works where it is safe and technically feasible to do so.
“Modern construction methodologies and contractual provisions account for seasonal variations. During heavy rains, focus may temporarily shift to activities less affected by weather, such as drainage works, culvert installations, material procurement and site preparation,” said Minister Mhona.
He added that the overarching priority remains the safety of both the workforce and the travelling public, as well as the long-term integrity of the road.
“We are confident that with proper planning, the impact of the rain season on the overall project timelines will be minimised.”
The Government has given a firm assurance that the complete rehabilitation of the vital Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway will be concluded by June 2026, with eight contractors currently deployed along the 440-kilometre stretch in a short-term strategy funded by the Treasury.
Minister Mhona moved to clarify the Government’s two-pronged approach to the massive infrastructure project, distinguishing between the immediate, fiscally-funded intervention and the long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“If you remember very well, we have got a triple P arrangement in place, which is also going to cover the entire road network, right from Beitbridge to Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. But this was in the long term, where you also need to have issues to do with financial closures, but it was taking time,” said Minister Mhona.
He credited President Mnangagwa’s leadership for initiating immediate mitigatory measures to address the road’s deteriorating condition, which he attributed to its original construction in the early 1960s.
“You can no longer patch such a road,” he said, highlighting the necessity of a full-scale rehabilitation.
The adopted strategy involves dividing the entire corridor from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls into segments of approximately 51 kilometres per contractor.Initially, five contractors were mobilised to work on critical detours and sections.
Last week the Minister witnessed part of the road being opened to traffic.
Three other contractors have also joined the project, translating to eight contractors now working on the entire stretch.
This phased approach ensures simultaneous work across the entire highway, significantly accelerating the project timeline.
Minister Mhona emphasised the road’s critical role as a gateway to the country’s prime tourist hub, Victoria Falls.
Looking beyond the current project, Minister Mhona revealed a broader vision for the nation’s northern corridor.
He indicated that the Government is already considering developments northwards, connecting to Zambia via Chirundu through Karoi and Binga.
“As you know, Binga, again, has got massive opportunities for tourism,” he said.
He outlined a future where a fully trafficable road network runs from Karoi and Bulawayo, boosting economic and tourism prospects for the entire region. Detailing the construction process, the Minister explained that after the current phase of work by the eight contractors, another contractor will work on the complete section again, laying asphalt on the end.
This final step will ensure a high-quality, durable surface for the entire highway.
Crucially, Minister Mhona said the current short-term measure is being funded through the national fiscus, a testament to the Government’s commitment despite fiscal constraints.
“The short-term measure that we adopted was to go to Treasury in our case, we are using our own resources. I am grateful again to the Ministry of Finance, where they are availing resources for these particular eight contractors,” he said.
However, he reaffirmed that the bigger picture is a triple P arrangement that they have entered into with a private company that is going to superintend over the entire network that is from Beitbridge – Bulawayo – Victoria Falls.
This long-term PPP will be activated once all necessary due processes, including financial closure, are successfully concluded.
The assurance from the Minister provides much-needed clarity and a definitive timeline for a project of national importance, promising to revitalise a key economic artery and bolster Zimbabwe’s tourism and trade infrastructure.
