Shacky Tafireyi

Experienced and detail-oriented Instrumentation Technician with over 25 years of proven expertise in instrumentation and control systems across Power Generation, Mining, Food and Beverage, and Municipal sectors. Skilled in optimizing plant operations, performing advanced troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

Senior

Member of the International Society of Automation (ISA) and Society of Instrumentation Measurement and Control (SAIMC).

Instrumentation Technician - 7 Stones Construction Company (Kumba Iron Ore - Kolomela Mine)

(2026-04)

• Running of electrical power cables and instrumentation signal cables for the Kolomela Mine - High Pressure Water at DSO Plant.
• Danfoss VSDs installation, wiring, termination and programming.
• Field instrumentation (Flow controllers, Flow indicators, Pressure indicators, Pressure transmitters, Pressure controllers), installation, termination, setting up/configuration and zeroing.

Senior Instrument Foreman - AVI - Johannesburg, South Africa

(2008-06 - 2025-12)

• Leading and mentoring a team of Twelve (12) Instrument Technicians, students, semi-skilled staff, and apprentices, assigning tasks, and ensuring work is completed timorously, safely, and efficiently.
• Preparing work schedules, in conjunction with the Planning department, and assigning tasks.
• Organize and monitor the work of subordinates on site.
• Organize and monitor the work of subcontractors on site.
• Developing and implementing maintenance strategies.
• Inspecting and auditing instrumentation systems.
• Overseeing the Installation, Calibration, Maintenance, and Repairs of Pressure, Temperature, Level, Flow, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and all related instrumentation and control systems, including troubleshooting.
• Modifications plant Pressure instruments, Pneumatic tubing, eliminating call-outs.
• Configuration, Installations, servicing and commissioning of Siemens S7 PLCs, Wonderware SCADA and HMIs.
• Commissioning and decommissioning instruments.
• Assist in designing control systems.
• Diagnosing and resolving electrical and instrument issues promptly to minimize downtime and ensure optimal system performance.
• Providing technical support for complex instrumentation issues.
• Analyzing and resolving equipment failures employing the Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Coordinating with other departments, and maintaining compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
• Playing a key role in troubleshooting issues, developing maintenance strategies.
• Ensuring all work complies with relevant safety codes, standards, and regulations, and that work sites are clean and safe.
• Implementing Company requirements and legal regulations, paying specific attention to HSE legislation and quality.
• Carrying out and record site inspections.
• Ensuring all works are carried out in line with approved method statements and or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Conducting and amending risk assessments and deliver toolbox talks/briefings.
• Collaborating with other departments, engineers, and supervisors to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
• Scheduling, coordinating and supervising the daily activities of subordinates.
• Ensuring subordinates complete all the required daily documentation.
• Maintaining accurate records of work performed, submitting reports, and documenting any equipment malfunctions.
• Scheduling, coordinating and supervising the daily activities of the technicians and ensure proper completion of of documentation in line with Company requirements.
• Participating in the training and development of new technicians and engineers sharing and passing on knowledge, and mentoring junior staff.
• Participating in hiring and performance reviews.
• Ensuring all technicians and apprentices/students have job relevant training requirements which is entered on site personnel training register.
• Managing project budgets, timelines, and resources related to instrumentation and control activities.
• Arranging for materials and tools needed for work.
• Ensuring availability of spare parts and tools.
• Ordering and managing hired /internal equipment on a daily basis.
• Co-ordinate delivery/pickup of material as required.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvements, implementing best practices, and optimizing system performance.

Senior Service and Calibration Technician - Wika Instruments - Johannesburg, South Africa

(2005-10 - 2007-12)

• Supervision of Assemblers and technicians, adjusting and testing temperature and pressure elements to ensure they provide accurate and reliable measurements according to established standards.
• Identified and resolved issues with instruments, including making necessary adjustments and /or repairs to restore them to proper working order.
• Ensured that all calibration equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and traceable to national or international standards.
• Conducted regular inspections and preventive maintenance on instruments to ensure their proper functioning.
• Maintained accurate records of all calibration and maintenance procedures, including test results, adjustments made, and any repairs performed.
• Ensured the adherence to relevant industry standards and regulations for calibration and measurement accuracy.
• Participated in internal and external audits related to calibration and measurement process.
• Assisted other technicians with calibration-related questions and issues.
• Managed the inventory of calibration tools, parts, and supplies.
• Ensured a safe working environment and adhered to all relevant safety procedures.
• Worked with a wide range of temperature (RTDs & Thermocouples), level, and pressure (Switches/transmitters) elements, including electronic, ultrasonic, Radar, Optical, and mechanical.

Lead C & I Technician - Zimbabwe Power Company - Hwange, Zimbabwe

(2000-02 - 2005-09)

• Leading a team of C&I technicians in the Steam Boilers Section, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations.
• Ensured the team's productivity, quality of work, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Coordinated maintenance activities, including scheduled and unscheduled outages.
• Assigning tasks and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Performed skilled duties in the installation and maintenance of electrical and electronic circuits, instrumentation equipment, plant control systems and related devices.
• Calibrating and overhauling equipment associated with main plant principles (pressure, flow, level, temperature).
• Maintained instrumentation for steam turbines, coal-fired boilers, and the auxiliary and water treatment plants. Participated in the upgrading of the controls to the new DCS, Siemens Teleperm XP and Teleperm ME.
• Fault finding on station systems and equipment.
• Identifying and resolving issues related to machine performance, electrical systems, and control panels.
• Using diagnostic tools and methodologies to troubleshoot instrumentation faults.
• Ensured compliance with all relevant, health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Adhering to regulatory and compliance standards for equipment and systems.
• Prepared reports on operational performance, incidents and maintenance activities for management review.
• Maintained accurate records of maintenance activities, calibrations, and repairs. Developed and implemented engineering procedures, instructions, and method statements.
• Participated in personal performance appraisals and development plans.
• Worked with control engineers to improve generation equipment and systems performance.
• Provided plant Instrumentation and Control after-hours/weekend /public holiday coverage when necessary.

Field Service Engineer - ABB Kent International Limited - Harare, Zimbabwe

(1995-02 - 1999-11)

• Provided preventive and corrective maintenance on ABB control systems and instrumentation. This included tasks like calibration during plant shutdowns.
• Identified and resolved technical issues with ABB field instrumentation products, both remotely and on-site.
• Installed and tested new instrumentation, ensuring it is properly integrated into existing systems.
• Provided technical guidance and support to customers on the use and maintenance of ABB products.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with customers, understanding their needs, and promoting ABB's service offerings.
• Prepared detailed reports on service activities, including planning, scheduling, and billing information.
• Ensured all work is performed in accordance with ABB's safety standards and relevant regulations.
• Identified areas for improvement in service processes, product performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Provided training to customers and partners on ABB's field instrumentation solutions.
• Identified opportunities for service and promoting ABB's service offerings.
• Participated in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Pre-FAT, Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) and other field activities to ensure smooth project execution.
• Worked in: Power Generation, both Thermal and Hydro Stations; Oil & Gas companies, like BP & Shell, Total; FMCG, like Unilever and the Breweries, Sugar Processing Plants, Beef Processing factories.
• Mazowe and Coca-Cola processing plants. Mines: Arcturus, Shamva, Redwing Gold Mines; Bindura Nickel Mine; Shabani and Mashava Asbestos Mines to name but a few.
• Carried out projects on Municipal facilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia (Water and Wastewater).

National Diploma - Control and Instrumentation - Harare Polytechnic

National Technician Certificate - Harare Polytechnic

Technical Diploma - Electronic Engineering - City and Guilds of London Institute

Apprenticeship Program - Control and Instrumentation - Zimbabwe Manpower Development/ZPC

Certificate - PLC Programming and Maintenance - Siemens Training Centre

Certificate - on level - VEGA Instrumentation