Chinotimba's security firm in court over unpaid wages

Chinotimba's security firm in court over unpaid wages

CHINOTIMBA

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By Linda Whiz

A SECURITY company owned by Zanu PF's Harare chairman and Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions vice chairman, Joseph Chinotimba, was on Friday
dragged before the courts for failing to pay $14 000 in wages and leave arrears to a guard who had worked for the company for two months.

Smash Security's representative Tapiwa Sigauke appeared before Harare magistrate Archie Wochiwunga who remanded the firm to June 18 this month for trial.

The company is being charged for breaching sections of the Labour Relations Act.

Prosecutor Rujeko Jena told the court that between November and December 2005, Joachim Masimba worked as a security guard at the company but he was not paid his wages amounting to $6 000.

The company also failed to pay Masimba $8 500 in leave entitlements.

Prosecutors say by failing to pay Masimba $14 500, the company flouted the Labour Relations Act which is tantamount to a criminal offence.

Ironically, Chinotimba is the Vice President of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions and has been urging employers to pay higher wages and salaries to their workers.

Chinotimba gained notoriety as the self styled 'commander of the farm invasions' in 2000, at the same time he was working as a security guard for the Harare City Council.
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