LEAKED documents and employee petitions have raised fresh concerns over governance, labour relations and procurement practices at ZESA Enterprises, with workers declaring a vote of no confidence in Acting Managing Director Engineer Godfrey Mugaviri.
The documents, reportedly circulated to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the Mutapa Investment Fund and other oversight offices, include staff petitions, procurement correspondence and complaints over workplace conduct.
In a petition addressed to the ZESA Holdings Group chief executive officer, workers claimed the company had been reduced to a “tuckshop business” because of what they described as a “toxic” management style.
Employees alleged that decision making had become heavily centralised in the acting managing director’s office, with operational matters reportedly referred to one office even when the executive was said to be unavailable or out of the country.
“The business organogram structures have been rendered dysfunctional,” part of the petition reads.
Workers also claimed several managers had either left the company or been sidelined during the current administration, weakening reporting structures.
The petition further alleges that the acting managing director became directly involved in shop floor supervision, creating fear among workers and undermining departmental controls.
Employees claimed some workers and managers faced verbal reprimands and threats of dismissal, while others feared questioning decisions due to possible retaliation.
Female employees who lodged complaints also alleged that reporting channels were ineffective and that some grievances were not adequately addressed.
Workers raised concerns over recruitment procedures, alleging that some decisions were being made outside established human resources processes. However, no supporting records were made available for independent verification.
Employees also claimed several operational vehicles had been assigned to the acting managing director’s office while other departments faced shortages. The allegations could not be independently confirmed.
The petition further alleged that imported Chinese products were being rebranded with ZENT labels, creating the impression they were locally manufactured. ZESA Enterprises had not responded to the claims at the time of publication.
Workers also accused management of introducing political slogans and references to political connections in workshops, which they said created an atmosphere of intimidation.
Separate documents also raised concerns over procurement procedures involving strategic electrical equipment.
Internal correspondence seen by News Online indicated that ZENT engaged India’s NMR Engineering and Works for transformer supplies, including equipment linked to the New Parliament project. Some correspondence questioned whether original equipment manufacturers had been bypassed and whether the equipment met technical specifications. The claims could not be independently verified.
The documents also referred to dealings with Mozambique’s EDM, with internal communications warning that delays and contractual disputes could affect bilateral engagements. No confirmation was available from either ZENT or EDM.
Separate complaints alleged possible abuse of company resources, including travel bookings, accommodation and fuel linked to executive travel.
Some of the complaints were copied to the Corporate Governance Unit, the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission. Workers claimed they had not received feedback on any investigations or corrective action.
Employees have since declared a vote of no confidence in the acting managing director and called for intervention by ZESA Holdings leadership.
Efforts to obtain comment from ZESA Enterprises were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Questions sent to the company’s corporate communications office had not been answered.
