Wilderness Safaris Faces Allegations of Employee Rights Violations in Southern Africa

Wilderness Safaris, a prominent safari operator with camps in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, is under scrutiny following allegations of violating employee rights. The accusations include the hiring of suspected State security agents to intimidate workers and keeping employees on short-term contracts for over a decade.

Employees have voiced concerns about being kept on short-term contracts for more than 10 years, a practice that has reportedly made it difficult for them to plan for the future. One disgruntled worker from a camp in Hwange, Zimbabwe, stated, "It has been almost 10 years renewing the same contract for nine months every year. Under this condition, it is difficult to plan for the future."

Allegations have also emerged that officials from the President's Department visited the company and warned employees against disrupting operations, implying consequences if complaints about labor practices persisted. Workers perceived these visits as intimidation tactics meant to silence their grievances about unfair labor practices.

Dean Morton, the managing director of Wilderness Safaris, has denied all allegations, attributing them to some employees attempting to manipulate the company. Morton stated, "We do not intend to answer to each and every allegation contained in your WhatsApp message and email and our failure to do so should not be construed as an admission to such allegations."

Why this matters: The allegations of employee rights violations by Wilderness Safaris have broader implications for the tourism industry and labor practices in Southern Africa. If true, these allegations could lead to reputational damage, legal consequences, and a negative impact on the local economy.

Morton also acknowledged that government officials had recently visited the camps but denied that these visits were intended to intimidate workers. He claimed that the officials' presence was a courtesy visit to showcase the company's contributions to conservation and the local economy.

Shareholder Edison Kadzombe has refrained from confirming or denying the allegations, stating that operational matters fall outside his purview. However, he promised to investigate the matter upon his return to Zimbabwe.

Wilderness Safaris operates several camps in Zimbabwe, including Linkwasha, Little Makalolo, Davison's, Makalolo, Kashawe, Ruckomechi, Chikwenya, and Little Ruckomechi. The company is well-known for its contributions to wildlife conservation and the local economy, but these recent allegations cast a shadow over its labor practices.

The investigation into these allegations continues, with the focus remaining on the company's labor practices and the treatment of its employees. The outcome of Kadzombe's promised investigation will be pivotal in determining the veracity of these claims and the potential impact on Wilderness Safaris' reputation.

Key Takeaways

• Wilderness Safaris accused of violating employee rights in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Employees claim short-term contracts for over 10 years, making future planning difficult.
• Allegations of hiring State security agents to intimidate workers and suppress labor complaints.
• Company denies allegations, citing employee manipulation and courtesy government visits.
• Investigation ongoing, with potential reputational damage and legal consequences.