Company vehicles attached over salary dispute

IN a dramatic legal confrontation, a former ABC Firetech Engineers executive has filed a lawsuit against the company, resulting in the attachment of three of its vehicles over a salary dispute.

Mr Lovemore Ndebele, who previously served as the company’s general manager, claims in court documents that ABC Firetech owes him over US$10 000 in unpaid salaries and leave days. Mr Ndebele, who dedicated 25 years of service to the company, is seeking US$10 781 in outstanding payments dating back to September 2024.

Now running his own enterprise, Advance Fire Engineers, Mr Ndebele, through his lawyer Mr Prince Butshe-Dube of Butshe and Associates, stated that negotiations with his former employer had reached an impasse, prompting legal action.

Despite being served with a summons, ABC Firetech Engineers failed to respond, leading to the attachment of three company vehicles. These include a Nissan March, a Nissan single-cab pick-up truck, and a Nissan one-tonne truck, which are now set to be sold at a public auction within a fortnight.

The vehicles were seized last Monday by the Messenger of Court in Bulawayo from the company’s premises located along Herbert Chitepo Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

According to High Court documents, Mr Ndebele is owed US$10 781 in unpaid salaries and leave days from September 2024. The breakdown in negotiations between Mr Ndebele and ABC Firetech Engineers ultimately led to the lawsuit.

In his affidavit, Mr Ndebele stated that ABC Firetech should bear the costs of the legal proceedings.
ABC Firetech Engineers is regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s leading fire prevention companies and has previously received awards for its competitiveness in the industry.