When someone loses their job, they might think they can keep company property. But that's not how things work in Zimbabwe. Employers have a powerful legal tool called rei vindicatio that lets them reclaim anything the company owns from former employees.
Imagine you've been given a company car or laptop as part of your job. Once you're no longer employed, you must return those items. The law is clear: just because you used the property during your employment doesn't mean you can keep it afterward. Zimbabwean courts recognize an employer's absolute right to take back company assets.
The Supreme Court has established specific rules for property recovery. An employer only needs to prove three key things: first, they actually own the property; second, the property exists, and the former employee has it; and third, the employee doesn't have permission to keep the item. Employees can't simply hold onto computers, phones, vehicles, or other company equipment after their job ends.
Former workers have limited defenses against these claims. They can't argue they have a right to keep the property just because they used it at work. The law prioritizes the company's ownership. Whether it's a desk chair, a smartphone, or a company vehicle, employers can legally pursue recovery through court action if necessary.
Imagine you've been given a company car or laptop as part of your job. Once you're no longer employed, you must return those items. The law is clear: just because you used the property during your employment doesn't mean you can keep it afterward. Zimbabwean courts recognize an employer's absolute right to take back company assets.
The Supreme Court has established specific rules for property recovery. An employer only needs to prove three key things: first, they actually own the property; second, the property exists, and the former employee has it; and third, the employee doesn't have permission to keep the item. Employees can't simply hold onto computers, phones, vehicles, or other company equipment after their job ends.
Former workers have limited defenses against these claims. They can't argue they have a right to keep the property just because they used it at work. The law prioritizes the company's ownership. Whether it's a desk chair, a smartphone, or a company vehicle, employers can legally pursue recovery through court action if necessary.
