adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A Masvingo City Council manager, recently dismissed from work on the back of the Supreme Court ruling which empowers employers to fire workers on three months’ notice, has dragged his former employer to court demanding $211,000 in damages. According to documents in The Chronicle’s possession, Josphat Ruzengwe who was liquor manager is demanding the money for the loss of income that council has caused by dismissing him.
Ruzengwe was entitled to housing, professional, entertainment and telephone allowances. His cumulative monthly earnings amounted to $2,621.46. Of the amount, $1,076.56 is his monthly salary and $1,544.90 is made up of allowances.
The matter has been taken to the Labour Court and will be heard by an arbitrator on Monday. Council is represented by Grace Bwanya of Chihambakwe, Makonese and Ncube while Ruzengwe is represented by Tafara Taengahama of Zimbabwe Urban Workers’ Union.
Ruzengwe who was dismissed early this month together with five other council managers once took council to the Labour Court after being demoted from Grade 14 to Grade 10. He won the case and the court ordered his reinstatement without loss of salary. Council complied but his reinstatement was short-lived as he was dismissed on the following morning.
According to the application sent to the arbitrator, Ruzengwe said he had already won his case for payment of back pay and damages in place of reinstatement from the Labour Court but his former employers were dragging their feet to implement the ruling.
“I’ve no option but to approach the courts for confirmation of quantum after the time given in the arbitration award has elapsed,” reads part of the application.
He is demanding five years’ salary, allowances and bonuses for premature dismissal before reaching retirement age which amounts to $211,000.
Online Reporter