City council appeals against labour court ruling

City of Masvingo, which has been embroiled in a number of labour disputes, is appealing against the recent Gutu labour office ruling ordering the reinstatement or proper retrenchment of two fired council employees.
Gutu labour officer, Faith Mupangami, ruled in favour of Boniface Mazarire and Vunganai Menasseh who are fighting the termination of their contracts by Masvingo City Council.
Mupangami gave council 30 days to reinstate the two or negotiate their exit package.
The duo was dismissed on the basis of the controversial three months’ notice dismissals that shook the country last year.
When contacted for comment, Town Clerk, Adolf Gusha could only say Council was still looking into the judgment and weighing all the options available.
“We are still looking into the matter and I cannot provide you with any further details,” he said.
However, Ward 10 Councillor Lovemore Mufamba, who chaired the meeting which resolved to fire the two, said it was Council’s duty to defend the dismissals.
“As Council we resolved that Mazarire, Menasseh and Josphat Ruzengwe be fired and we tasked management to defend that decision. The judgement does not bind because we have lodged an appeal. We feel there are reasonable grounds to think the law may have been misinterpreted.
He criticised the judgement, saying he does not see why Mazarire and Menasseh’s case was treated differently when a similar case had been dismissed earlier on.
“It is the same office which dismissed a similar case by Ruzengwe. What is the difference now?” said Mufamba who added that the case had been politicised by his MDC-T counterparts who want Mazarire reinstated.
Mazarire, who is a member of the MDC-T, said he was yet to be formally notified of the appeal.
“I heard that Council is appealing but we are still waiting for formal communication from the council and my lawyers over the matter,” said Mazarire. news

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