STUDENTS at Bindura University are having to walk for about five kilometres between the university’s campuses to write their end of semester examinations after the university’s three buses were attached by the Deputy Sheriff two weeks ago over a labour dispute involving a former bursar.
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The attachment of the buses has also affected the university’s staff which depended on them to take them home and shuttle between the university’s main campus and Chawagona campus.
The buses were attached on November 14 after the university’s former bursar Norman Hadzirabwi won a labour case against the institution.
Although NewsDay failed to get a comment from the Bindura Deputy Sheriff last Friday, Hadzirabwi’s lawyer Albert Chambati confirmed the development.
Chambati said his client registered an award of $140 000 after the High Court upheld a ruling by the Labour Court and arbitrator.
“Three buses and four vehicles were attached. The buses and vehicles are held by the Deputy Sheriff in Bindura. The university has tried to challenge the attachments today (Friday) at the Labour Court, but lost,” Chambati said.
Sources privy to the case said the Deputy Sherriff was contemplating seizing four Mazda BT-50 twin cab trucks as the value of the attached property was far less than Hadzirabwi’s award.
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The university’s lawyer Raymos Gumbo refused to comment on the case saying it was still pending before the courts.
“There are several applications before the courts. One of it will be heard on Tuesday (today). I cannot comment on issues that are still before the courts,” Gumbo said.
According to Chambati, Hadzirabwi was employed as a bursar between 2003 and 2008.
After his contract expired, the university approached him and asked him to continue working as they were still looking for a replacement. Hadzirabwi was then made to sign three rolling months’ contracts for a period of two years before he was asked to leave in 2010. Hadzirabwi negotiated for damages with the university, arguing when the university renewed his contract for two years, they created a legitimate expectation that he would remain on the job for five years.
Both the Labour Court and the arbitrator ruled that Hadzirabwi should be compensated for the remaining three years, but the university refused to oblige, leading to the attachment of the properties.
