Chronic and severe cash shortages in Zimbabwe have resulted in an industrial dispute at the Renco Gold Mine in the country's Masvingo province, where sources said 20 workers have been dismissed for striking this week over late payment of their wages.

About 500 workers went on strike on Monday and Tuesday after the mine's management did not pay September salaries on time due to the shortage of bank notes which has plagued consumers and businesses across the country for months, and worsened recently.

Sources among the workers said some of those who struck were served with suspension letters on Wednesday and told not to leave their residences in the mine compound until their cases were been heard. The labor sources said workers were brought before a disciplinary committee which reprimanded some and dismissed about 20 others.

Mine sources said management has also ceased to provide staple maize meal to workers.

Renco Mine is owned by Rio Tinto Zimbabwe, whose manager, Aaron Mudhuwiwa declined to comment without written questions, which VOA declines to provide.

A dismissed worker who requested anonymity told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that workers brought up before the disciplinary committee were denied representation by their union.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...