Zimpapers Logo

Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
REDCLIFF municipality, which is embroiled in a legal battle with its workers over $2 million salary arrears, is pinning hopes on the revival of Ziscosteel if it is to be able to start servicing the bill.

Redcliff municipality, whose service provision was hinged on the viability of Ziscosteel, is struggling to pay workers since the demise of the steel giant about eight years ago. The cash-strapped local authority has since launched an appeal with the High Court after being sued by employees who are demanding their outstanding salaries amounting to about $2 million.

In an interview, Redcliff mayor Councillor Fred Kapuya said the local authority was pinning hopes on the imminent revival of the steel company for it to be able to pay the workers.

“The demise of Ziscosteel meant the demise of Redcliff,” said Clr Kapuya. “The municipality has been struggling to operate since Ziscosteel closed, but we have renewed hope now that Government is working in its revival.

“We admit that we owe employees huge sums of money, but as long as Ziscosteel is on its knees, we will not be able to pay them. It is our prayer that its revival is imminent as it means a lot to Redcliff municipality itself.”

Clr Kapuya said Ziscosteel owed the local authority a significant sum and hoped Government will also treat their case as a matter of urgency, when assuming the steel giant’s debts.

“Government announced recently that it was going to assume the Ziscosteel debt and we hope as the local authority, we will also get what the steel giant is owing us,” he said, without revealing the amount.Clr Kapuya said Government started paying Ziscosteel employees in batches and hoped the municipality would get its share soon.

“It’s a positive commitment on the part of Government to see Ziscosteel ticking again,” Clr Kapuya. “I am confident that once Ziscosteel becomes operational, these issues of one owing the other will end.”