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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
zanu-pf National Assembly candidate for Goromonzi North Ozias Bvute has come to the rescue of former Arcturus Mine workers who were evicted from the mine’s houses by TN Securities (Pvt) Limited, which took over the mine from Metallon Gold.

Mr Bvute negotiated with the new owner Mr Tawanda Nyambirai for the former workers to remain in the mine’s houses while they map a way forward.

The former workers were sacked by Metallon Gold for causing a strike that resulted in the mine’s closure. This resulted in them losing their legal right to stay in the houses. Arcturus Mine had over 700 workers whose families reside in three compounds. Mr Bvute, who met with former workers at the mine yesterday, said he met Mr Nyambirai on Wednesday and he agreed to allow them to stay in the houses.

“He heard our pleas. We told him that you may be having disagreements with your tenants but it was not good to evict people in winter.

“We agreed that if there are issues, they should be discussed while people are in their homes,” he said.

“Mr Nyambirai said he had bought the mine and he has plans to reopen it, but he was uncomfortable working with at least 200 people who carried out an industrial action.”

He said Mr Nyambirai told him that those were the people who influenced the closure of the mine. Mr Bvute said he pleaded with Mr Nyambirai to let the former workers stay and come up with some sort of arrangement.

“We agreed that you will go back into your houses while Mr Nyambirai is making efforts to reopen the mine which employed a lot of people. We agreed that leases will be prepared so people can stay legally,” he said.

“We will work with the mine’s executive to ensure that everyone staying here has a lease. We do not want you to fight Mr Nyambirai.

“The houses belong to Mr Nyambirai, but we do not want people to be evicted.”

The mine manager Mr Aaron Muduwiwa said they will next week start compiling the names of people who were staying at the mine.