NATIONAL airline Air Zimbabwe (AirZim) has been ordered to reinstate its dismissed acting managing director Grace Pfumbidzayi after a labour arbitrator ruled that she had been fired unprocedurally.
PAIDAMOYO MUZULU SENIOR REPORTER
Pfumbadzayi was fired in February 2014 on charges of corruption and maladministration following an audit report commissioned by the airline.
She, however, contested her dismissal and the matter was referred for arbitration. AirZim was represented by Mutangamira and Associates. An arbitrator, identified as T Zimbudzana, presided over the matter on November 18 2014 and ruled in her favour.
Part of the verdict released last Friday reads: “In view of the facts and arguments, I award the following: The claimant was unfairly dismissed and should, therefore, be reinstated from date of unfair dismissal without loss of salary and benefits.
“The matter is remitted to the respondent (Air Zimbabwe) for the procedural irregularities to be put right.”
Neither AirZim spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga nor board chairman Eric Harid were immediately available for comment on the ruling.
Pfumbidzayi had argued that the hearing against her proceeded despite the fact that she could not attend as she was on sick leave and that AirZim had refused to furnish her with documentary evidence used at the hearing so that she could prepare her defence.
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She also questioned why she had been fired by Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd when legally she worked for a different company called Air Zimbabwe Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.
Pfumbidzayi is currently out on bail pending trial on a corruption charge where is alleged to have given Navistar Insurance Company the greenlight to provide insurance cover for the AirZim fleet without going to tender.
She is jointly charged with former AirZim chief executive Peter Chikumba and the two are denying the charge.