Union Demands Full Disclosure On US$350 Million Hwange Power Station Deal
The Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU) has called for full disclosure from ZESA Holdings regarding its ongoing discussions with Indian firm Jindal Africa Investments, reported The Independent.
The discussions centre around a joint venture between Jindal and ZESA to refurbish six units at Hwange Thermal Power Station for US$350 million, a project expected to add around 400 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025, addressed to Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) managing director Norbert Matarutse, ZEWU general secretary Martin Chikuni expressed concerns about the secrecy surrounding the deal and the lack of transparency regarding the activities at Hwange Thermal Power Station. He wrote:
We are reliably informed, by our members, that your management is at an advanced stage in negotiations with some company or individual from India, for the partial or total takeover of Hwange Thermal Power Station.
There is no doubt that such a development will invariably have a negative impact on the workers’ welfare and conditions of service yet they were never consulted or participated, through their union in the decision, despite their inalienable right to be involved and participate in any decision.
If this is indeed true, we find your approach to be inconsiderate, disrespectful and reckless to the almost 700 employees working at Hwange as well as their families whose livelihoods rely entirely on their breadwinners currently employed by ZPC, at Hwange.
ZPC, a division of ZESA, is responsible for electricity generation.
Chikuni called for an urgent meeting with ZPC management to address the issue, warning that if their request was ignored, they would “pursue all available legal options within the next five working days.”
In response, ZESA Holdings said that the discussions are still in the early stages, awaiting cabinet approval, and therefore cannot be disclosed as finalised. It added:
However, when Jindal came with its expression of interest they brought their top management who engaged with the power station management and worker representatives.
Management is fully aware of the need to engage workers once there is a clear direction on the expression of interest.
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