Masvingo workers spare critical equipment

The decision was made in the spirit that council was ready to engage them in amicable talks to settle the dispute.

The Labour Court ordered council to pay its workers salary arrears to the tune of US$3,5 million and the same award was registered as a court order by the High Court in October this year.

Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers’ Union on behalf of the workers, attached various council properties including fire tenders, ambulances, computers, vehicles and other equipment as from December 5.

Part of the properties had been removed from council premises pending execution while the deputy sheriff was yet to remove more property.

Last week, Masvingo municipality unsuccessfully tried to stop execution when Justice Andrew Mutema threw out its urgent chamber application.

While the workers have resolved to spare some of the critical equipment, council filed a fresh urgent chamber application.

Justice Hlekani Mwayera dismissed the application for lack of urgency.
Council on the same day filed a normal court application for rescission of the decision to register the Labour Court award.

The application is yet to be set down for hearing.
In a letter by ZUCWU lawyers Matsikidze and Mucheche dated December 21 2012, the workers have resolved to spare council’s utility equipment but continue attaching and auctioning all management vehicles, vacant stands, buildings and furniture.
The workers would also garnish council’s main bank account.