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MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – The National Employment Council for the Commercial Sectors of Zimbabwe recently ordered Gutu Rural District Council to pay full benefits to three security guards that it had dismissed unfairly.
Documents in the hands of The Mirror show that Panganayi Mhazo, Herbert Chuwe and Fainos Zivave who dragged their employer for unlawful termination of employment, underpayment of salaries and non-payment of terminal benefits got the ruling in their favour on May 3, 2024, but are yet to receive their terminal benefits.
The three former Gutu RDC workers dragged their employer for unlawful termination of employment, underpayment of salaries and non payment of terminal benefits last year after serving the Council for years.
The had served the local authority for periods of between 16 and 19 years and yet council, according to court papers still considered them as temporary workers.
Gutu RDC Human Resources Manager Liliosa Kurauone referred questions to the Chief Executive Officer.
“For those cases you can contact the CEO, I cannot comment on that,” she said.
The CEO, Alexander Mtembwa could not be reached for comment.
Mhazo said he served council for 19 years and he and his family are languishing in poverty.
“Gutu RDC is ill-treating us because they were ordered to pay us our benefits by the court. It’s now four months and there is no word from them. We have families to look after and we need school fees for our kids,” he said.
The three former Gutu rural district council workers dragged their employer for unlawful termination of employment, underpayment of salaries and non payment of terminal benefits last year after serving the Council for years.
The Mirror has a copy of the judgement dated May 03,2024 , where the three were awarded their terminal benefits by the National Employment Council.
Panganayi Mhazo has a basic salary of US$421 and the salary paid by the Council is US$140 with a shortfall of 291 ×3 months to make it US$873. Housing allowance US$240,transport allowance US$240,leave days 2,5 days ×3 months =7,5 days to make US$107,70 and food hamper US$120. Mhazo was awarded a total of US$1460,60 as benefits from the Council.
Herbert Chuwe’s basic salary was at US$431,salary paid US$140 with a shortfall of US$291×6 months to make a total of US$1746. Transport allowance US$80,housing allowance $80,leave days 2,5 ×6 months to make a total of US$215,40 for leave days. Food hamper US$240. Their benefit wasn’t paid from January 2020 to July 2023. Chuwe was awarded US$2896,80 by the National Employment Council but nothing is paid as of now.
Fainos Zivave’s basic salary was US$431,salary paid $140 and has a shortfall of US$291 x3 months to make a total of US$873.Food hamper US$120,transport allowance $240, house allowance US$240 and leave days 107,70. Zivave was awarded US$1460,70 as his benefits nothing is paid.
Fainos Zivave, Panganayi Mhazo and Herbert Chuwe were represented by Ndlovu and Hwacha Legal Practitioners in the matter.
The trio were employed as security guards. They allege that their contracts were abruptly terminated in clear violation of the provisions of their Labour Act Chapter 28:0.
Mhazo, Zivave and Chuwe served the council for 19, 16 and 14 years respectively. They were all dismissed without any benefits last year.
Gutu RDC Chief Executive Officer Alexander Mtembwa wasn’t answering the phone when he was contacted for a comment.