Zimbabwean Workers Accuse Chinese Manager at Sabi Star Lithium Mine of Racial Abuse
Sabi Star Mine, a significant lithium operation valued at US$130 million, which was officially commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2022, has found itself embroiled in a racism controversy. Two weeks ago, workers at the mine approached the Department of Immigration and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), levelling serious accusations of racial discrimination.
According to documents reviewed by the Independent, the mine’s Chinese human resources manager, Zheng Jianhong, is at the heart of the dispute. The workers’ reports allege that Jianhong has been engaging in activities that denigrate Zimbabwean culture and has issued threats of termination based on racial grounds.
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Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the workers compiled these reports and forwarded them to both the immigration department and the CIO. The allegations against Jianhong include mocking local culture and exhibiting bias by favoring Chinese nationals over Zimbabwean employees.
Authorities have responded promptly to these allegations, with a CIO-led investigation currently underway. Additionally, senior politicians in Buhera, where Sabi Star is located, have been briefed on the issue.
According to Independent Zimbabwe, when approached for comment, Jianhong neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, redirecting inquiries to Sabi Star’s public relations office. However, in their formal complaint, workers expressed their desire for the immigration department not to renew Jianhong’s visa upon its expiry.
The unfolding situation at Sabi Star Mine highlights the complexities and challenges faced by multinational companies operating in Zimbabwe, particularly concerning issues of cultural sensitivity and fair treatment of local employees.
“He feels Chinese (nationals) should be prioritised over local people,” the letter reads in part.
“He mocks local cultural behaviours. There is massive racism and discrimination at the workplace. He has shown it in our faces.
“He shouts at employees on racial grounds and discrimination is the order of the day. Employees feel abused. He threatens employees that he will terminate their contracts,” it further alleges.
According to sources within the company, initially, there were indications that the immigration department was contemplating not renewing the visa of the Chinese national based on the allegations raised by the employees.
However, it seems that the visa has since been renewed.
“It came as a shock that the visa of Zheng was renewed following the allegations raised,” one source said.
“He has been a bad example of Chinese investments in the country.”
Emmerson Njanja Mangezi, the public relations officer at Sabi Star, stated that although no workers had directly approached the company with allegations, they have a zero-tolerance policy towards racism. He mentioned that if any workers were to formally come forward with complaints, thorough investigations would be conducted.
“The company takes these allegations seriously and if there is evidence for such reports on Mr Jianhong, an investigation will be instituted. Should there be any, the matter will be dealt with decisively according to the specifications of the company’s rules and regulations. We wish to put it on record that we condemn any form of racism in the strongest of terms,” he added.
“The single plant in Buhera, in two years’ time, will be earning about US$2 billion,” he said.
“I am so happy that before the company has started making money here, they have already begun improving infrastructure in this area. They have upgraded the 30km earth road from the main road to this mine.”
