Masvingo residents fume over $3.5m  labour dispute

Walter Mswazie Southern Edition Correspondent
Masvingo residents have accused council of paying lip service to the long standing $3,5 million labour dispute, which has been dragging for close to 10 years.

The residents called on council to pay the workers their dues to put the case to rest. Residents who spoke to The Herald said council was not doing enough to address the issue. The workers sued the municipality in 2009 at the Labour Court and won an arbitration award of $3,5 million, which they registered with the court.

The award empowered the deputy Sheriff to attach over 100 vehicles that included refuse trucks and the mayors’ official Mercedes Benz. The vehicles are gathering dust at Two Muzaya Auctioneers in the city’s industrial site.

Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Mr Godfrey Mutimba urged council to address the salary dispute as it affected service delivery. He said apart from their dilapidated state, the vehicles had attracted more than $300 000 in storage fees, which council should pay.

“We are more concerned with the way our council has failed to properly handle the $3,5 million labour dispute,” said Mr Mutimba.

“As the situation is at the moment, more than 100 vehicles have been reduced to shells due to wear and tear. The issue could have been addressed long back if council was serious.”

Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) coordinator Mr Prosper Tiringindi said they felt short-changed on the labour issue.

“The attached vehicles are now beyond repair that even if they are auctioned they will not fetch much money to pay the workers,” he said.
“Instead of council continuing to fight the workers in court, they have to find the best way to end the impasse. We suggest that they pay the workers with residential stands.”

Masvingo town clerk Mr Adolf Gusha said: “The labour dispute between council and its workers is at the courts. As council, we cannot comment as it is sub judice. Let us let the courts decide.”

Mr Gusha said council won the matter, but the workers, represented by the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union (ZUCWU), appealed at the Supreme Court.

You Might Also Like

Comments