Unfair dismissals and sex scandal have rocked Dreamwoods Lodges, a hospitality facility on the outskirts of Masvingo town, amid allegations of abuse, financial mismanagement and infidelity levelled against one of the directors, Witness Msiiwa Musungwa.
Former workers at Victoria Hardware and Dreamwoods Lodges allege a “culture of fear” and “toxic working environment” at the two companies owned by Musungwa, who is popularly known as “Mbinga” or “VaMsiiwa” in the ancient city.
Some workers claim they were “unfairly dismissed” by Msiiwa and did not receive their terminal benefits while a handful that are still employed Dreamwoods Lodges are struggling to receive their salaries.
Other female workers allege their former boss sexually harassed them before dumping them.
Investigations carried by this publication also revealed that over the last couple of months, Msiiwa’s properties in Chiredzi and Zvishavane have been hastily sold while four hardware shops across Masvingo province were unceremoniously closed leaving scores of workers stranded.
“Accusations of domestic violence have surfaced, tarnishing Msiiwa’s public image amid reports that a tumultuous relationship with his wife, marred by accusations of infidelity and betrayal,” said a source close to the businessman.
“Msiiwa was accused of having sexual relationships with employees at the lodge, which is run by his wife.
“Workers from the closed hardware shops languish without salaries or terminal benefits, while creditors and suppliers await payment, their calls unanswered and debts ignored.”
One of the former workers confirmed that all was not rosy at Msiiwa’s business empire.
“Apart from ruining his hardware business, the boss has been involved in sexual relationships with his subordinates at the lodge whom he would dump at a later stage before dismissing them at work,” said the male source on condition of anonymity.
“I know two, one a receptionist [name supplied] and another one who was a chef [name supplied], both of them were dismissed unfairly from work.
“One of the ladies had her marriage ruined after her husband discovered that she was in love with the boss.”
Formerly celebrated for the thriving hardware and establishment of Dreamwoods Lodge, recent events have cast a shadow over the businessman’s reputation.
Standard Style also established a groundsman drowned at the lodge’s swimming pool in mysterious ways, a development that was swept under the carpet.
Dreamwoods started operating early this year, under the directorship of Mercy Tombo, and the facility was touted as the next biggest thing in the hospitality industry.
The cosy facility was expected to cater for tourists coming to Great Zimbabwe and Mutirikwi Dam, among other tourist spots dotted around Masvingo.
Meanwhile, the former workers also attributed the demise of the hardware business to financial mismanaging and misconduct.
“To avoid taxes, the hardware shops, operating for nearly a decade, employed a dual sales record system,” said the former worker.
“One set recorded larger sales, undisclosed to Zimra, while another documented smaller daily sales, which were declared to minimise tax payments.”
Dreamwoods Lodges human resources manager and accountant Monica Goza could neither nor deny the allegations.
“Who are those people because I don’t know anyone, who has been dismissed,” she said.
“What are their names and when were they dismissed?
“You can call Mr Msiiwa.
“I’m not aware of these allegations, if you had told me their names maybe I would have helped in some way.”
Msiiwa dismissed the allegations saying they were only coming from people who are tarnishing his “good” image.
“Who was dismissed?” he asked.
“No one has been dismissed and on the allegations of sexual harassment, we don’t know anything about that.”
“Victoria Hardware was closed and on compensation, we can’t compensate them all at once.
“Anytime we can compensate them, there are some who are being compensated, we are looking forward to paying them all.”
He said he was looking forward to paying all outstanding terminal benefits in two months’ time.
Msiiwa said Dreamwoods was hiring new personnel and those accusing him of sexual harassment were people that were hungry for news.