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Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP side ZPC Kariba have been ordered to reinstate with full benefits the fired duo of David Rediyoni and Patrick Nhamo as their contracts were “unfairly terminated.” The pair, with help from the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe, recently dragged the club to the Labour tribunal challenging their dismissal last year. And, according to a ruling from the Labour Office delivered in Harare on February 22, the players should be reinstated and get their full benefits. ZPC Kariba have also been given an option to pay damages equivalent of reinstatement if they are not keen to take the two players back.

The power utility side have been given 14 days up to next week to comply with the ruling. “On the merits of the matter, both parties agree to the background of the matter. The claimants go further to challenge the termination of their contract as unfair dismissal, to which the respondent did not provide enough ground that justify the letter of termination issued to the claimants.

“It is therefore the view of this tribunal that the respondent is in breach of section 12B of the Labour Act (28:01) and must reinstate the complainants without loss of salaries and benefits.

“I therefore order that the claimants be reinstated without loss of salary and benefits. If reinstatement is no longer tenable, respondent (ZPC Kariba) is ordered to pay damages in lieu of reinstatement, agreeable by both parties.

“If there is no agreement on the payment of damages, parties may approach this tribunal for quantification of damages,” read part of the judgment.

The two players were released last August, but they argued they were on fixed term contracts. Rediyoni had a two year deal while Nhamo, who came with the team from Division One, had a three year contract. The players alleged that they were fired for poor performances and challenged the club to produce records of their assessment to justify the termination of the contracts.

ZPC Kariba had challenged the suitability of the labour tribunal to hear the case as they felt it could have been solved internally at the Premier Soccer League level. The ruling also said ZPC Kariba failed to provide enough ground to justify the termination of the contracts.

The hearing was also attended by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa and the players’ legal representatives from Zvinavakobvu Law Chambers. However, the power utility is not satisfied with the outcome and are likely to challenge the ruling.