Airport kitchen staffer spends day on bench

Sunday News Reporter

AN Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) kitchen porter has allegedly for the last month being denied entry into his work station at the Victoria Falls International Airport despite being acquitted of allegations of stealing 10 kilogrammes of meat from the facility’s canteen.

He has been made to report for duty and sit on the bench for the better part of his days. Mr Argent Nyoni, had been accused together with a cleaner, Mr Courage Mathe of having stolen the meat after the latter cleared what he thought were left overs before being intercepted by aviation security officers. 

Airport security had alleged that Mr Mathe admitted to stealing the meat, claiming he had been sent by Mr Nyoni, hence the duo was handed over to the police.

However, the two’s trial failed to kick off at the Victoria Falls Magistrate’s court as a pre-trial conference ruled that there was no case to answer. ACZ later charged Mr Nyoni with negligence. On 6 February 2023, the investigations committee chairman, a Mr S Makova wrote to Mr Nyoni suspending him from work and summoning him to an investigations hearing. Mr Nyoni was immediately ordered to reside at the airport compound with restricted movement until investigations are completed.

Confidential documents in possession of Sunday News show that the disciplinary hearing was held in accordance with the Statutory Instrument 81 of 2017, Schedule Part 5 Paragraph 4 (d) 1 March. After the disciplinary hearing, time elapsed without feedback until Mr Nyoni’s lawyers wrote to ACZ requesting the outcome of the hearing. ACZ acting human resources manager a Ms D Murinda then wrote to Mr Nyoni on 4 April 2023 informing him about the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

“Reference is made to the disciplinary hearing which you attended on March 1 to answer to charges of misconduct and wish to advise you of the outcome of the hearing. The disciplinary committee found you not guilty of the charges that were laid against you,” she said.

However, since then Mr Nyoni reports for duty and just sits on benches outside the terminal building with no access to his workstation because he does not have a pass, and returns home in the evening after knock off time, this despite Airport manager Mr Ronnie Masawi ordering his reinstatement. This prompted Mr Nyoni to write to ACZ management seeking clarification about his reinstatemenmt.

“I am writing to bring to your attention that since my acquittal from your letter dated 4 April 2023, I have not been favoured with a pass to enable me to formally and efficiently discharge my duties. From the time I got the correspondence. I am reporting for duty every day and get seated outside the terminal building until knock off time. I have attempted to resolve this informally through the office of personnel officer and I couldn’t get access. I am now pursuing for more formal route which I am therefore kindly requesting for a written position on the matter,” wrote Mr Nyoni.

The letter was not responded to but the ACZ wrote to him last Friday demanding a report on further alleged theft of meat at the same canteen.

“My office is in receipt of a report pertaining to an anomaly on canteen stocks noted by the canteen chef for the period 26 to 28 January 2023. We acknowledge that a disciplinary hearing was held on theft charges against you after which you were found not guilty. We remain concerned however, that the anomaly on beef stock balances occurred during the three days period when you were on duty indicating 10kg of beef missing according to stock balance records. In view of the above you are requested to submit a written report within 48 hours to explain the anomaly where 10kg of beef could not be accounted for during the period 26 to 28 January when you were on duty,” reads part of the letter signed by airport manager Mr Masawi.

Meanwhile, Mr Nyoni last week made an urgent High Court  application for a mandatory interdict to stop the ACZ from further investigating him on similar allegations he was acquitted on by an internal disciplinary hearing and the magistrates court.