Delta Beverages fingered in workers committee elections manipulation, formation of a ‘yellow union’

Harare- DELTA Beverages is in the eye of a storm following allegations that the human resources department has a sophisticated scheme whereby they are accused of violating labour law statutes,Express Mail Zim can report .

Accusations of a ‘yellow workers union’ have emerged.

A ‘yellow workers union’ is an organization which is dominated or unduly influenced by an employer making it not an independent trade union.

Express Mail Zim understands that under the dubious arrangement workers handpick representatives in the Special Joint Workers Committee who pursue the company’s agenda, ahead of the national committee elections slated for October 2025.

The Special Joint Workers Committee represent Delta Beverages employees’ interests countywide.

Workers accused, the current national chairperson of the Special Joint Workers Committee and secretary of Soft Drinks Manufacturing Workers Union a union allegedly aligned to the employer- Crispen Chandata-of being used by the Beverages manufacturing giant management to handpick workers who are proxies of the company to hold positions in the national workers committee.
Changata who has been the chairman for the Special Joint Workers Committee since 2017 and is alleged to be paid his monthly salary and allowances even if he does not come to work.
“Workers have been alienated as a result of divide and rule tactics being used by our employer who is interfering on who should hold posts in the Special Joint Workers Committee, using the Human Resources department, “revealed our inside sources.

“Some workers have been bribed by brand new and top of the range vehicles and are being given unlimited fuel coupons in a bid to fight and segregate Brewing and Distilling Workers Union, which the employer labels as a rival trade union which does not represent the interests of the company management,”added one of the multiple sources.

Workers said they are of the opinion that they must be allowed to vote at their respective work places countrywide for them to select their representatives in the Special Joint Workers Committee which represents Delta Beverages workers at national level, alleging that this is being blocked by company management.

“Workers at various depots countrywide are of the opinion that there must be a democratic process where workers at plant level are given the opportunity to choose their representatives in the Special Joint Workers Committee. However Delta Beverages management, under the direction of the Human Resources department is manipulating the process by enticing some workers with benefits so that they choose workers are pro the employers in the Special Joint Workers Committee and who are stooges of Chandata, the black sheep of the employer,”explained the source

“Chandata is being used by the employer in an initiative that saw workers being unilaterally transferred to other depots across the country, leaving their families behind.
As an appendage and stooge of the employer, he is also behind the stance taken by the company management to initiate a process of commissioned and variable pay, where employees no longer receive their overtime allowances, and in place are awarded overtime based on commission.”
Workers also alleged that Delta Beverages is trying by all means necessary to totally annihilate, the pro workers union, Brewing and Distilling Workers Union and put in place a yellow union that represents and ferments its agendas.
“The developments on the ground clearly show that the employer is in the process of creating a yellow union which is a rival to Brewing and Distilling Workers Union as they view it as a barrier to its agenda.”
Chandata could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was unavailable at the time of writing.

Delta Beverages has portrayed a ‘squeaky clean’ image yet they are alleged to be ‘bishops’ of labour law violations.

Delta Beverages general manager corporate affairs Patricia Murambinda said the representatives are elected by the worker body.

“Are these complainants trying to influence the results? They must field their candidates and vote for them,” she said.

Lately, Delta has been littered with several allegations of gross labour law violation and market bullying with executives name dropping ‘protection’.