Weak Oversight, Poor Governance, Rusape Council Workers Bear the Brunt

By Post Reporter

“Chiedza,” not her real name, paused briefly from washing her clothes when this reporter passed by. Her voice was low, almost hesitant, but the frustration in it was unmistakable.

“Is there any development on our case?” she asked quietly, referring to a long-running labour dispute between employees and their employer, Rusape Town Council.

Chiedza is among a group of workers who were awarded an arbitral ruling by the labour court following a protracted dispute with the local authority over salaries and working conditions. Yet months after the ruling, she says, little has changed.

Instead, workers say their situation has worsened.

“Imagine, I’m told they bought a car worth more than US$60 000. Is it true?” she asked, her voice betraying both disbelief and resentment.

Her question referred to reports that the local authority recently acquired a brand new Nissan Navara double cab vehicle for council chairperson Lovemore Chifomboti.

According to guidelines set by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), the cost of such a vehicle is capped at around US$63 000.

For workers like Chiedza, the purchase has become a symbol of what they see as misplaced priorities within the council.

She went on to explain how the salary she received at the end of February had been reduced without warning.

“Everyone received just US$50 and ZWG$2 960,” she said, carefully recounting the figures.

“We used to get ZWG$3 960.30. Now everyone in my grade received the reduced salary and a paltry US$50.”

The reduction, she said, has pushed many workers to the brink.

“Can you imagine? They expect us to come to work every day. Before I even leave home, there’s breakfast for the children, school needs, and transport fare to get to work,” she explained.

Her frustration reflects the broader grievances of employees at Rusape Town Council, many of whom have taken legal action in search of relief after years of disputes over salaries, allowances and working conditions.

Several workers have approached the courts seeking enforcement of arbitration awards meant to resolve the standoff between the council and its employees.

Labour expert Samson Mugumisi told The Post On Sunday that reducing employees’ salaries without their knowledge or agreement is unlawful under labour regulations.

“Slashing salaries without the knowledge or consultation of employees is illegal and can attract penalties,” Mugumisi said.

He explained that employers are required to follow proper legal procedures before making any changes to agreed remuneration structures.

Workers argue that instead of resolving the salary dispute and improving service delivery, the council appears to be prioritizing administrative expenditures.

Residents of Rusape have also raised concerns that service delivery in the town has deteriorated significantly in recent years, even as tensions between council management and employees continue to escalate.

For workers like Chiedza, the dispute is no longer just a legal matter but a daily struggle for survival.

“We continue coming to work because we have no choice,” she said quietly.

“But how do they expect us to live?”

An employee at the council told this publication that the purchasing of the vehicle was a directive from the Ministry, and it was long over due.

questions have been sent to the Ministry communications department, and responses were not yet sent by time of going to publish.

Residents on various platforms have asked questions, is the Ministry and Government really for the people or individuals? as many of RTC cases are going unresolved.