The University of Zimbabwe must pay $323,046 to a former bursar who refused certain transactions. Vengai Mugabe told authorities that purchases over $20,000 required formal bidding. His case reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the award for his unfair dismissal claim. The university had appealed a Labor Court decision but lost.
Justices Antonia Guvava, Tendai Uchena, and Hlekani Mwayera heard the case. They confirmed the ruling made earlier for Mugabe. He worked under a fixed contract from July 2017 that should have lasted until 2021. The court learned he wrote to the vice-chancellor about procurement concerns in June 2018.
Mugabe stated that these transactions broke public asset laws. After pressure continued, he wrote again, saying he might resign if his stance blocked university progress. The vice-chancellor claimed this meant immediate resignation. Mugabe clarified that his message was not a resignation letter, but the university insisted he had quit.
The labor officer ruled that Mugabe never actually resigned. He found the dismissal unfair and ordered payment. The award includes damages, a Toyota Land Cruiser, computers, and fuel allowance. The Supreme Court agreed that the university had wrongfully ended the contract. They stated damages should restore what he would have earned if employed for the full term.
Justices Antonia Guvava, Tendai Uchena, and Hlekani Mwayera heard the case. They confirmed the ruling made earlier for Mugabe. He worked under a fixed contract from July 2017 that should have lasted until 2021. The court learned he wrote to the vice-chancellor about procurement concerns in June 2018.
Mugabe stated that these transactions broke public asset laws. After pressure continued, he wrote again, saying he might resign if his stance blocked university progress. The vice-chancellor claimed this meant immediate resignation. Mugabe clarified that his message was not a resignation letter, but the university insisted he had quit.
The labor officer ruled that Mugabe never actually resigned. He found the dismissal unfair and ordered payment. The award includes damages, a Toyota Land Cruiser, computers, and fuel allowance. The Supreme Court agreed that the university had wrongfully ended the contract. They stated damages should restore what he would have earned if employed for the full term.
