The recruitment agency behind a mining job advert that appeared to favour foreign-educated candidates has issued a private apology in an attempt to quell backlash from a local labour union.
By Ryan Chigoche
The vacancy, advertised by Precision Recruitment International, was for a Mine General Manager position at an established mining company operating in Zimbabwe. The advert included a line specifying a preference for a qualification “preferably obtained from a university outside Zimbabwe,” a phrase that immediately provoked outrage and accusations of bias against local professionals.
This development comes after this publication highlighted the discriminatory language, with local labour unions also voicing concerns, condemning the agency for promoting exclusionary recruitment practices.
In a written email apology sent privately to a local labour union, seen by Mining Zimbabwe, a representative of the agency accepted responsibility for the wording, clarifying that the client had no input in the phrasing and had not requested any preference based on educational background. The recruiter claimed sole responsibility and confirmed the controversial phrasing was removed once concerns were raised.
“I am writing to offer my sincere apologies regarding the wording used in a recent advertisement for a Mining General Manager position that I posted last week. Upon reflection, I fully acknowledge that the phrasing in the advert did not align with Zimbabwe’s fair recruitment principles and could understandably raise concern. I wish to clarify that it was never my intention to undermine local talent or to deviate from ethical recruitment practices. My objective was solely to explore a broader pool of candidates, including those abroad, while still holding deep appreciation for the wealth of mining expertise available locally,” read part of the message.
While the agency acknowledged its mistake, its choice to issue a private apology rather than a public one has done little to ease frustrations within the sector. Many stakeholders expected a more transparent and accountable response, especially given the sensitivity of the issue.
Besides, the labour union only responded after being made aware of the job post by this publication.
The agency’s private apology sounds more of a damage control exercise than a genuine demonstration of accountability.
By placing sole responsibility on the wording and distancing the client from the issue, the agency risks appearing dismissive of the sector’s legitimate concerns.
Adding to that, merely apologising after public outcry is insufficient, and real progress will require a transparent commitment to addressing the underlying biases that allowed such an advert to be published.
The incident has reignited a broader debate about the devaluation of Zimbabwean-trained professionals in senior recruitment. Many contend that favouring foreign credentials, especially in a sector that relies heavily on local knowledge and leadership, undermines not only individuals but the national workforce as a whole.
As Zimbabwe’s mining industry continues to expand, pressure is mounting for more transparent, fair, and locally aligned hiring practices. For many, the agency’s private apology may have admitted fault, but it has yet to answer the larger questions it raised. Meanwhile, other stakeholders are also being urged to collaborate and enhance the quality, recognition, and perception of local qualifications to ensure Zimbabwean professionals receive fair opportunities.
