Jonathan Moyo sues Binga RDC

THE Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has taken Binga Rural District Council to court for failing to remit more than $14 000 in Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) levies.

In terms of section 3 of the Manpower Planning and Development Act, the Minister is empowered to impose a levy on every employer under Statutory Instrument (SI) 74 of 1999. The levy is payable to Zimdef.

Prof Moyo, who is the plaintiff in the matter, yesterday filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Binga RDC as the defendant.

The Minister is demanding $14 777 from the local authority for levies that were not remitted between January and December last year.

Prof Moyo, in his summons filed at the Bulawayo High Court through lawyers, Dube-Tachiona and Tsvangirai Legal Practitioners, said Binga RDC has continuously neglected or refused to settle the debt despite demand.

"The plaintiff's representatives assessed the wage bill for the defendant between January and December 2016 and the amount of $14 777 is due and payable.

"The amount payable is due before the 14th of the next proceeding month of the date of deduction," said the Minister.

He said council's conduct was in violation of standing regulations under SI 74/99.

According to court papers, Zimdef levy inspectors assessed the council's wages bill and payrolls and discovered that $14 777 had not been paid.

According to court papers, the Minister also wants Binga RDC to pay the cost of the suit at attorney-client scale.

Binga RDC has not yet filed a notice to enter an appearance to defend the summons.

The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development through Zimdef is funding government's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme.