The messenger of court attached property including ambulances, refuse trucks, computers and tractors, among other things. The move is likely to affect service delivery in the country’s oldest city.
Zimbabwe Urban Councils’ Workers Union leader, Moses Mahlangu, confirmed the developments, adding that they would target all council property used for service delivery in order to force the municipality to give workers what they are owed.
“We are targeting ambulances, refuse trucks, and tractors so that we force the local authority to pay us our money,” said Mahlangu.
Although workers’ committee officials refused to talk to the press for fear of victimisation, sources within the council said workers were happy with the development.
“We are very happy with the development because this case has been dragging on and on since the 2008,” said a worker who did not want to be named. “We are not even worried that important property has been attached because when you are fighting your enemy you punch where it hurts the most.”
Masvingo Mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda confirmed that council property had been attached but added that the local authority had since appealed to the Supreme Court. The mayor, however, said the council delayed in appealing against the high court ruling that ordered the council to pay its workers.
“We have appealed to the Supreme Court but our appeal cannot stop the messenger of court from attaching the property,” said Chakabuda.
The pay dispute between council and its entire 500 strong worker force was ignited in 2008 when management unilaterally increased their salaries, side-stepping workers. The workers then approached the court to have their salaries increased.
The court granted the workers their wish but the local authority continued to appeal against several court rulings, resulting in the high court last month giving a final order compelling the city council to pay its workers outstanding salaries.
Despite the high court ruling, the council did not pay its workers, resulting in property worth thousands of dollars being attached.
Post published in: News