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Farai Kuvirimirwa Herald Reporter
United Methodist Church yesterday had its 19 cars and furniture at the church’s headquarters in Harare attached by the Deputy Sheriff after it lost a High Court order compelling it to pay more than US$194 000 to six former employees fired in 2012. The organisation lost the case against the workers — Givemore Chingwerewere, Pauline Mandikutse, Thomas Matambanadzo, Pettina Mashayamombe, Olinda Mukwindidza and Innocent Macheche — after a default arbitration award was given by Mr Wellington Pasipanodya.
The money, had accrued to US$204 040 due to costs of the execution of the writ, was also for their notice pays, salaries, employer pension contributions, retrenchment packages and damages for unlawful termination of contracts.
The church had filed an appeal indicating the vehicles did not belong to it, but High Court Judge Happious Zhou granted the ruling in the employees’ favour.
The vehicles the church lost included three Toyota Hiluxes, six Nissan Hardbody trucks, a Nissan NP200, two Land Rovers, Mazda B1800, a Toyota Raider, a Nissan X-Trail, a Mitsubishi Canter truck and a Nissan Presage.
The attachment of the vehicles and furniture was conducted in the presence of the church’s deputy administrator identified as Reverend Gurupira.
The six workers who were employed in the church’s publication unit, Publication Foundations, which was closed in 2012, were served with dismissal letters, but challenged their dismissal, resulting in them being granted an arbitration award by Mr Wellington Pasipanodya.
According to court documents, the church failed to pay the employees their salaries while they were still employed in 2012.
In his ruling, Mr Pasipanodya said the church was served with papers, but chose to default on the day of set down.
The workers were served with termination of employment letters indicating that those working at the church’s publications department had to stop on December 11, 2012.
During the attachment of the property, some church officials could be seen locking doors to prevent the removal of more furniture.
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