Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Labour Court has upheld an arbitral award reinstating Karoi Town Council’s former Acting Town Secretary, Mr Tongai Namisala, after ruling that the council’s disciplinary proceedings violated mandatory statutory timelines.
Justice Motion Jaravani last week ruled that the council breached the 14-working-day rule under Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 and irregularly suspended Mr Namisala twice without reinstating him between suspensions.
The court said the disciplinary authority lost jurisdiction as the matter extended into April 2025, months after the legal deadline.
Mr Namisala was suspended in 2024 following his arrest on extortion allegations involving more than US$53 000.
The disciplinary process later found him guilty and led to his dismissal, but both arbitration and the Labour Court nullified the proceedings and ordered his reinstatement or the payment of damages.
Karoi Mayor, Alderman Kudakwashe Chigumo, said the council would soon decide whether to reinstate him or pay damages.
Residents criticised the council for costly missteps.
ZNOART provincial chairperson, Mr Liberty Chitiya, said service delivery had collapsed while the council was pursuing legal battles that it “usually loses”.
The case is the latest in ongoing leadership instability at Karoi Town Council, which has had at least five acting town secretaries in four years.
