By Beaven Dhliwayo, Group Features Editor
A DARK cloud still hangs over the Chisamba family following the death of Owen Victor Chisamba, a who collapsed and died while on duty in Bulawayo under alleged harrowing working conditions.
According to his family, Owen, who was contracted as a driver under Victoria Dreams, a company working for the Chinese telecoms firm ZTE in Zimbabwe, had long spoken of the hardships and ill-treatment he endured before his untimely passing.
His heartbroken family is now speaking out, accusing ZTE and Victoria Dreams of gross exploitation and inhumane treatment that they believe led to his death.
For two and a half months, Owen remained stationed in Bulawayo, enduring unbearable conditions that his family says drained him physically and mentally.
His brother, Costa Chinani, revealed that Owen often called him, sharing “distressing details” about the mistreatment he endured.
“He told us how he was struggling to get by with the meager allowances they gave him. He was a hardworking man, but the way he was being treated was just wrong. He was left to fend for himself in a strange city with next to nothing,” said Costa.
According to reports, ZTE contracted Victoria Dreams to handle transportation duties, but in a shocking arrangement, workers were subjected to outrageous deductions from their already paltry allowances. ZTE allocated US$25 per worker for food and accommodation per day for out-of-town assignments—an amount that was insufficient for even the barest survival.
Victoria Dreams deducted US$10 as a so-called ‘service fee,’ leaving Owen and his colleagues with only US$15 to cover meals, shelter, and any other personal needs.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from both ZTE and Victoria Dreams were fruitless, as they neither denied nor accepted responsibility.
“Fifteen dollars for food and accommodation? That is nothing in this economy! My nephew would call us, telling us he was starving, struggling to find decent meals. He could not afford proper food, let alone accommodation. He was suffering, and these companies didn’t care,” lamented his uncle, Farai Bruce Chisamba.
The unbearable conditions weighed heavily on Owen’s health.
His family recalls how he sounded weak and exhausted each time he called home. At times, he would go for long periods without a proper meal.
Yet, despite his deteriorating condition, his family said no one at ZTE or Victoria Dreams intervened to check on his well-being.
The family is reeling from both grief and anger, not just over the conditions Owen suffered in life, but also over how ZTE has treated them following his death.
The family said the telecommunications company only contributed US$700 towards transporting Owen’s body from Bulawayo to his rural home in Guruve—an amount that fell far short of the US$1,750 required by service providers.
“How can a company as big as ZTE, which makes millions of dollars in profits annally, only offer US$700 for the repatriation of a worker who died in their service? Is this how little they valued his life?” questioned Costa.
“We had to struggle to make up the difference. They left us to carry the burden alone.”
According to Farai Bruce Chisamba, the family was left humiliated by the way ZTE and Victoria Dreams handled the matter.
“They never even showed up to give us any formal condolences. There was no dignity, no respect. Just silence. We had to push for them to even give us that US$700, and even then, it was like they were doing us a favor,” he fumed.
The family has called for authorities to investigate the working conditions at ZTE and its subcontractors, demanding accountability for what they say is systematic worker abuse.
“We do not want another family to go through this pain. Owen worked hard, and yet he died as if his life had no value. This must end,” added Farai Bruce.
The Zimbabwean labor laws are clear about fair compensation, worker safety, and ethical treatment, yet cases like Owen’s highlight the gaps in enforcement, particularly when it comes to foreign companies operating in the country.
Labor unions and rights activists have long accused Chinese firms of exploiting Zimbabwean workers with little regard for their well-being.
Owen’s case is a chilling reminder of how dire the situation can become.
Workers in similar situations under ZTE and Victoria Dreams have begun speaking out, describing identical patterns of abuse.
“They treat us like disposable tools. If you fall sick or complain, you are out of a job. It’s as if we don’t matter,” said one worker, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
Others have highlighted the extreme pressure to meet impossible deadlines while being denied proper food and rest.
Some workers sleep in their trucks because they cannot afford decent accommodation, while others have reportedly fallen ill due to poor working conditions. Yet, when they raise concerns, they are met with silence or, worse, the threat of losing their jobs.
For the Chisamba family, no amount of money can ever bring back Owen, but they are determined to fight for justice in his memory.
“Owen deserved better. He gave his all to that job, and yet they discarded him like nothing. We will not rest until justice is served,” vowed Costa.
As the dust settles to Owen’s burial, his story serves as a sobering indictment of the exploitation of Zimbabwean workers by multinational corporations.
The question now remains: will the authorities act, or will another worker suffer the same fate?
The Chisamba family has vowed to take legal action if necessary, demanding compensation and accountability from both ZTE and Victoria Dreams.
