Bar lady sues MP for $ 9000

The MP for Chivi Central, Ephraim Gwanongodza allegedly forced a bar lady to work 20 hours a day from 7am to 3am the next day for seven days a week without option for overtime and when the worker made a claim for what was due, he allegedly reported her to the Police for theft.

Martha Nhewede, through her lawyer Philip Shumba of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Associates is suing Gwanongodza who is MP for Chivi Central for $8 854,97 for overtime, underpayment of wages and working during public holidays without compensation.

According to court documents in the hands of The Mirror, Nhewede will further demand damages in lieu of reinstatement that is if Gwanongodza refuses to give back her job.

The Mirror understands that Nhewede engaged Shumba after Gwanongodza had failed to attend to labour court hearings on several occasions on the pretext that he was a legislator and was therefore busy at Parliament. Nhewede was at that time represented by the National Employment Council for the Catering Industry.

According to court documents Nhewede was employed as a cashier at Gwanoz Night Club at the Victoria Range in Masvingo. Her contract was terminated verbally through the phone and she was told to stop work forthwith.

Gwanongodza is said to have to have verbally told the complainant of some allegations of misconduct arising from some alleged persistent cash shortfalls.

The dismissal was without a hearing. When Nhewede claimed her dues, Gwanongodza reported her for theft at the Police resulting in the former being invited to the CID department at Masvingo Central.