The most
corrupt Minister Mpofu FORMER journalists at the collapsed Zimbabwe Mail
newspaper have dragged transport minister, Obert Mpofu, to court over
outstanding salaries amounting to about $200,000. Mpofu, who was the major
shareholder of the newspaper which closed in March this year, has been summoned
to appear before a labour tribunal on 17 June in Harare.
The
Zimbabwe Mail hit the market in December 2013 as a daily publication before
turning into a weekly in February 2014 and eventually closing down.
Battered
by viability problems, the company slashed salaries in half in September last
year
but by
the time of its closure, staffers said even the reduced wages were not being
paid.
Documents
seen by NewZimbabwe.com reveal that 42 former employees of have sued the paper
for alleged non-payment of outstanding salaries and unlawful dismissal.
“You are hereby notified that the matter
between you (The Zimbabwe Mail) and 40 others concerning alleged non-payment of
outstanding salaries in lieu of leave and alleged unlawful dismissal.
“If you fail to attend the hearing before T
Sakarombe at Makombe Building on 17 June 2015, the hearing may proceed without
you to the possible detriment of your interest,” reads part of the court
documents.
The summons was handed over to The Zimbabwe
Mail board chairperson, Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga on Monday. The workers are
being represented by Rodgers Matsikidze of Mucheche Law Chambers.
The
newspaper shut down operations citing viability challenges in March this year
without paying any benefits for its entire workforce.
A
commercial bank also owned by Mpofu collapsed this year. The minister is said
to be one of the richest members of President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet although
questions remain over the source of his wealth.
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