# 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.
- Title: Zimbabwe: Hwange Colliery Loses Bid to Block Ex-Worker's…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: zimbabwe, hwange colliery, bernard tongogara, high court, retrenchment agreement, eviction, news, world, politics, Hwange, Colliery, Loses
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610210026.html
- Published: 2026-10-21T05:20:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: zimbabwe, hwange colliery, bernard tongogara, high court, retrenchment agreement, eviction, news, world, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Zimbabwe's Hwange Colliery must prove it paid an ex-worker's retrenchment package before evicting him from his home.