The ethanol blending company director Billy Rautenbach has been accused of racially discriminating the black workers by not giving them their salaries.

This was revealed at an explosive press briefing by the recently fired drivers in the capital which was facilitated by Platform for Youth Development who said they were fired because the Green Fuel director racially discriminate black people.

“The treatment of black people at green fuel company is absurd as they racially discriminate the blacks.

“The handling of black managers and white managers is totally different with the former receiving better salaries and housing than the latter of which they are on the same level,” said the drivers.

Fired drivers also said that staring at Billy Rautenbach could make one lose his or her job.

Green Fuel fired drivers without given them warning or paying the outstanding salaries which backdated to last year November.

“We were booted out with nothing from the company and the money that he owed to us has never been paid until to date,” added the drivers.

Rautenbach argues that the company has no money but the fired drivers said the company acquired two private jets and more new trucks recently.

They also bemoaned poor working conditions at Green Fuel Company saying they work for 12 hours a day without even taking a break.

“Rautenbach does not want his trucks to stop even for a break to eat and we drivers we are forced to carry our own food in the truck and eat while we are driving at the same time.

“As a result of fatigue of working long hours, drivers are prone to accidents,” said the drivers.

Platform for Youth Development director Claris Madhuku said the green Fuel Company has been politically cohesed and it is supported by politically powerful people who are benefiting from the company and not addressing the concerns of the workers.

“When there was a unity government we used to discuss with the company owners on the plight of workers but this was shot after 2013 when Zanu PF won the elections and cancelled the unity government,” he said.

Efforts to get comments from the Green Fuel management and ARDA were fruitless as their phones went unanswered by the time the story was published.

Green Fuels is a joint venture between Billy Rautenbach’s Ratings Investments and state-owned ARDA at the latter’s estates in Chisumbanje, Manicaland.

By Misheck Shambare