By Heather Buzuzi
MUTARE, 30 March 2026— Serious allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement have surfaced at the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), where employees have reportedly gone nearly five months without receiving salaries, prompting accusations of systemic governance failures at the state-owned diamond miner.
An internal source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, said workers have not been paid since October 2025, leaving many struggling to meet basic needs.
“We are being forced to choose between food and school fees while our leaders reward themselves with luxury vehicles,” the source said. “It is demoralizing to come to work every day knowing we are not valued.”
While employees remain unpaid, senior management is accused of diverting company resources for personal benefit. The allegations include the purchase of high-end luxury vehicles for executives at a time when the company is reportedly facing severe financial constraints.
According to the source, multiple Toyota Land Cruiser LX300 vehicles were acquired for top executives.
“Instead of using the little resources to pay workers, management prioritized buying luxury vehicles for themselves,” the source said. “That tells you everything about their priorities.”
Further claims point to the existence of a parallel payroll system benefiting a select group of approximately 80 managers. These managers are allegedly receiving monthly vehicle allowances of around USD 2,000, in stark contrast to the broader workforce that has not received salaries for months.
“There is one system for the connected few and another for the rest of us,” the source said. “The people making these decisions are the same ones lining their pockets while we go hungry.”
The source also alleges that company vehicles are being sold to executives at heavily discounted prices, only to be resold at significantly higher values.
The situation has reportedly created deep frustration among workers, who also cite deteriorating working conditions, including inadequate housing and lack of proper safety equipment.
The developments have intensified scrutiny on governance practices at the state-owned diamond miner and raised broader concerns about accountability in public enterprises.
The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company has not responded to multiple requests for comment.