The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Reporter
LOOKING from the outside, the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy appears like a well-run institution, with the numerous advertising boards for sponsors creating that impression.
The usually swanky green cricket field at the academy gives the idea that all is well, which would mean those looking after the pitch are also well-looked after. However, a visit to the staff’s quarters, where the groundsmen reside tells a miserable story. The workers are living in squalid conditions where six families (with 29 people in total), split in half between the academy staff and MacDonald Sports Club employees share one bathroom and a toilet. Workers said what makes it difficult for them to seek alternative accommodation is the fact that they have been getting as little as ZW$400 a month for years.
The poor conditions of service for the workers came to the limelight when the academy’s former head groundsman, Blessing Mutumwapavi was laid off on medical reasons with his final list of benefits showing that he earned $475 in May, with his final payout being $3 983,81 for seven years of service. Mutumwapavi was the academy’s first employee when it opened its doors in 2013. His payout is not even enough to transport him, his belongings and children to his home in Gutu, Masvingo provice.
Heath Streak, the founder president of the Heath Streak Cricket Academy Trust blamed the meagre salaries paid to the workers on the coronavirus pandemic since their sponsors have not been able to provide financial support.
“Financially the academy is struggling. We are getting almost zero from other companies due to current economic and Covid-19 situation so we appreciate what support Old Mutual do afford us,’’ Streak said.
He said workers were given free accommodation as a safety net. Mutumwapavi however, does not share the same sentiments. He is sharing two rooms with his mother and five children. His mother had to come from their rural home in Gutu to look after him since his wife deserted him.
Blessing Mutumwapavi
“Workers have to be paid decent salaries, he cannot say he is paying us low salaries because he is providing us with accommodation. We told Streak that the money he was paying us was too low in 2018 and he did nothing about it so we are forced to stay in these poor conditions because we cannot afford decent accommodation,” Mutumwapavi said.
The situation is dire for the 46-year-old Mutumwapavi who was given 30 days to vacate the two rooms he is occupying since the academy’s lease with MacClub does not permit anyone no longer employed to continue residing in the premises, with the notice expiring on 20 June.
Mutumwapavi has four children of school-going age but two of them have had to discontinue their studies since their father cannot afford the fees.
What pains Mutumwapavi is that when he left Zimbabwe Cricket to join Streak’s project, he saw the move as an opportunity for a better life.
ZC at that time were in a financial mess, with workers going for months without getting their salaries. Things have changed, with Mutumwapavi’s former workmates at ZC now earning an average of US$400 a month.
“I now regret leaving ZC. I am pained by the treatment I got from Streak, it was not the sort of treatment I was expecting, I thought he would look after me better than ZC,’’ Mutumwapavi said.
Investigations by this publication showed that the bulk of the workers have been earning $400 but administrator Shaun Joseph has decent accommodation catered for by the employer in Suburbs. The academy has Old Mutual as the main financial backer, pays rent which is said be in local currency to MacDonald Sports Club, then receives a monthly payment from The Place, a sportsbar within the premises. Sculpt Gym also pays rent to the academy.
Children also pay to use the academy’s facilities on an hourly basis. The National University of Science and Technology cricket team last season paid $19 800 to use the nets and play matches. Income for the academy is also generated by hiring out the ground weddings at
US$160 for 200 to 500 guests. All those with the advertising boards on the academy’s walls pay a monthly fee. – Mdawini_29
