Fortune Nkomo
Workers at Moonlight Provident Associates (Pvt) Ltd, one of Zimbabwe’s leading funeral assurance and services firms, are demanding action over repeated salary delays and what they describe as deteriorating management standards.
A claims clerk in the C5 category, speaking anonymously, said the delays have worsened under the leadership of Group Operations Director Roger Nakhozwe.
“We received salaries for January and February between May 6 and 16. Nothing has been paid since. Management is silent while we struggle. The company owes 320 workers around US$218,560 and ZIG 6.7 million,” the worker said.
Another employee alleged that the company’s management troubles began following the death of a former senior executive, Mr. E. Nakhozwe. The employee claimed that Mr. R Nakhozwe, who assumed oversight duties, oversaw the closure of the coffin manufacturing branch, RJ Davis, in Mutare.
According to the same worker, the company now sources coffins and cascades from individuals allegedly connected to Nakhozwe, raising concerns over procurement transparency. “Our core values — empathy, innovation, teamwork, efficiency and integrity — have been compromised,” the worker said.
Mr. Hungwe, a member of the workers’ committee, acknowledged the salary delays but declined to confirm figures, saying he was on leave.
Human Resources Director Mr. Chawira dismissed the allegations as personal attacks on Mr. Nakhozwe but confirmed that salary payments have been affected. “This is not just a Moonlight issue. The Zimbabwe Association of Funeral Assurers (ZAFA) submitted a document to IPEC to lobby the Ministry of Finance. The problem is systemic — the government, being the largest employer, has not been remitting funeral assurance premiums,” Chawira said.
Despite this, workers have criticised the internal workers’ committee for failing to act decisively, including taking the matter to the Labour Court.
Workers also report poor service conditions, citing worn-out hearses and limited transport capacity.
Bulawayo Metropolitan and Matabeleland North provinces reportedly share one bus.
The National Employment Council for the Funeral Industry (NECFI) held a meeting on June 11 to discuss the issue and review third-quarter wages. However, workers say the resolutions failed to address their immediate concerns.
With no solution in sight, Moonlight employees say they remain in financial distress — even as they continue providing critical services to grieving families.
