From Allafrica · · 1m 20s
Zimbabwe: Hwange Colliery Loses Bid to Block Ex-Worker's Eviction Challenge
Zimbabwe's Hwange Colliery loses legal bid to block ex-worker's eviction challenge.
In brief
Zimbabwe's Hwange Colliery loses legal bid to block ex-worker's eviction challenge. Zimbabwe's Hwange Colliery must prove it paid an ex-worker's retrenchment package before evicting him from his home. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Hwange Colliery loses bid
Hwange Colliery Company Limited failed to have an ex-employee's eviction challenge thrown out by the High Court.
Ex-worker challenges eviction
Bernard Tongogara argued the company's eviction proceedings were barred because the dispute was already decided by courts.
2016 dispute starts
Tongogara's employment ended in 2016, and the company sought to evict him from his home.
2018 court ruling
In September 2018, the High Court dismissed Hwange's initial eviction claim, requiring payment of the retrenchment package first.
2020 payment claim
Hwange claimed it paid Tongogara's retrenchment package in instalments between 2017 and 2020, with the final payment on July 9, 2020.
Magistrates Court setback
Hwange's attempt to secure eviction through the Magistrates Court ended in default judgment after Tongogara's lawyer failed to appear.
High Court review
On July 16, 2025, the High Court set aside the default judgment, citing the earlier ruling in the dispute.
2026 eviction bid
Hwange issued fresh summons on March 6, 2026, prompting Tongogara to argue the company was re-litigating a settled matter.
The takeaway
Zimbabwe's Hwange Colliery must prove it paid an ex-worker's retrenchment package before evicting him from his home.
