Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A FIRED National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) trains inspector has taken his former employer to court over outstanding salaries amounting to more than $34 000.
Mr Boniface Lunga has filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court demanding $34 898.
Mr Lunga’s contract of employment was terminated in July last year.
In papers before the court, Mr Lunga cited NRZ as the defendant.
“At the termination of the employment relationship, the defendant owed me money in salary arrears. As at June 27 in 2017, defendant owed me $36 065 and acknowledged the indebtness through a pay slip. The NRZ has since paid me three instalments of $247 each and one instalment of $426,33 which was paid on October 2 in 2017, leaving an outstanding balance of $34 898,” said Mr Lunga in court papers.
He said despite demand, NRZ is refusing to pay his dues.
“Defendant has refused, failed and neglected to pay the outstanding balance despite a letter of demand,” said Mr Lunga.
He wants an order directing NRZ to pay the money and the legal costs.
In its response through lawyers Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners, NRZ said Mr Lunga was not a proper candidate to be granted a summary judgment, arguing that the figure was inflated.
“The amount of $34 898 claimed by the plaintiff (Mr Lunga) is a thumb suck figure with no basis at all.
“It is an amount in which the plaintiff must lead evidence to prove his claim in relation to the period covered by the claim, the monthly salary used to compute the amount and the issue of statutory deductions among others.
“The defendant denies owing the plaintiff $34 898 and the application should fall with costs of suit,” said the NRZ lawyers.
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