Legal Dispute Over Salary Arrears and Reinstatement
The Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) has been ordered to pay nearly US$256,000 and over ZWL3 million in salary arrears and benefits to three former employees. These individuals were dismissed in 2020 due to allegations of fraud, which involved a relatively small sum of US$2,50. The local authority has also incurred significant legal costs, with the case eventually reaching the Supreme Court.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe is now applying pressure on the Chikomba RDC to settle the claims made by the former employees. The claimants—Lawrence Magwiroto, Rosa Chikwama, and Martha Mudzana—are represented by the Zimbabwe Rural District Councils Workers Union. They are demanding full back pay and benefits after their dismissal was overturned by the labour courts.
The council accused the trio of mismanaging cash received from ratepayers, resulting in a supposed loss of ZWL$50, equivalent to US$2,50 at the time. The employees were found guilty in an internal disciplinary hearing in September 2020 and subsequently dismissed. However, they appealed to the exemptions committee, which ruled in their favor and ordered reinstatement without any loss of salaries or benefits.
Chikomba RDC challenged the decision at the Labour Court and later at the Supreme Court, but lost in all cases. Following their reinstatement, the workers are now claiming outstanding salaries, benefits, and union dues dating back to January 2019.
In a letter dated September 16, 2025, addressed to Chikomba RDC, the union argued that even before their dismissal, Magwiroto and Chikwama were being underpaid. According to Statutory Instrument 87 of 2017, they should have been on the third notch, but were receiving first-notch salaries instead.
According to the union, Magwiroto is owed RTGS$1,548,987.53 and US$121,753.60, while Chikwama is claiming RTGS$1,095,733.23 and US$72,256. Mudzana, a grade 3(ii) revenue collector, is demanding RTGS$975,132.81 and US$61,816 in salary shortfalls.
After losing the court battle, in a letter dated June 10, 2025, seen by footcareWeekender, Chikomba RDC offered an out-of-court settlement to the three employees instead of reinstating them. The local authority offered around US$2,000, which the three rejected.
“The employer now wishes to resolve this dispute out of court to the extent that it is possible to do so,” part of the letter read. “In view of the convoluted litigation as alluded to earlier, it is the employer’s position that the restoration of an employer and employee relationship is no longer possible. Therefore, the employer hereby tenders the package articulated hereunder in lieu of reinstatement.”
Garwe wrote to the Chikomba RDC council chairman on October 30, 2025, ordering the local authority to settle the claims. “The ministry formally instructs Chikomba Rural District Council to comply with the Labour Court’s ruling regarding Mr Lawrence Mogwiroto, referenced under Case No: LC/H/89 /21,” Garwe’s letter read. “The court has determined that he must be reinstated following his unjust dismissal. It is imperative that Chikomba Rural District Council acts promptly to implement this ruling to uphold justice and maintain the integrity of our governance structures.”
Key Details of the Case
- Employees Involved:Lawrence Magwiroto, Rosa Chikwama, and Martha Mudzana.
- Allegations:Fraud involving US$2,50.
- Disciplinary Action:Dismissed in 2020 following an internal hearing.
- Appeal Outcome:Exemptions committee ruled in favor of the employees, leading to reinstatement.
- Legal Proceedings:Chikomba RDC challenged the decision at the Labour Court and Supreme Court, but lost all cases.
- Current Claims:Outstanding salaries, benefits, and union dues dating back to January 2019.
- Settlement Offer:An out-of-court offer of around US$2,000 was made, which was rejected.