By Advent Shoko
The Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) has announced a 60-day shutdown at its Manhize plant in Midlands Province, citing a critical breakdown at its sintering unit, in a move that has disrupted operations and left more than 2 000 workers in limbo.
The shutdown, running from September 11 to November 11, comes barely three years after President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned what was touted as Africa’s largest integrated iron and steel project, a flagship investment meant to anchor Zimbabwe’s industrial revival.
In a joint statement, workers’ committee chairperson Tichaona Masvanhise and management representative Benson Shumba confirmed that repairs at the sintering plant were unavoidable. The downtime would also be used to finalise commissioning of other plant equipment that is still undergoing test runs.
DISCO spokesperson Joseph Shoko downplayed fears of a long-term collapse, insisting that the closure was a necessary precaution. Shoko said:
“There are no uncertainties. Before the shutdown, we had one blast furnace with a capacity of 600 000 tonnes per annum, and we aim to reach six. Our resources can last 200 years.”
However, concerns have mounted after reports emerged of hundreds of Chinese expatriate workers leaving the site daily, sparking speculation of a deeper crisis. Shoko maintained that the departures were routine, saying the workers were returning home to visit their families during the shutdown.
Masvingo Mirror reports that in a bid to cushion employees, the company advanced US$100 to workers last week for travel costs, with deductions to be made from September salaries. For October, staff will either take leave days or be placed on unpaid leave if they have none remaining.
The development has rekindled memories of Zimbabwe’s mining sector shocks, including the sudden collapse of Hartley Platinum Mine in 1999, which left thousands jobless and investors rattled. With the Manhize project billed as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 industrialisation drive, its temporary halt raises questions about the resilience of mega projects in the face of operational hurdles.
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