News / National
Activist wins fresh US$180,000 in landmark sexual harassment case
3 hrs ago |
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A Zimbabwean women and child rights activist, Rita Marque Mbatha, has been awarded a further US$180,000 in damages by the High Court in a long-running sexual harassment case against the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI).
The latest ruling brings Mbatha's total compensation in the matter to over US$400,000, following earlier awards against both her former employer and its former chief executive.
In a judgment delivered by High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi, the court found CZI vicariously liable for failing to act on Mbatha's complaints of sexual harassment.
Chitapi described the organisation's conduct as "reprehensible", stating that its failure to intervene after the complaint warranted exemplary damages.
"The second defendant's moral blameworthiness is high… the conduct to not take action on the plaintiff's report is to be deprecated," the judge ruled.
He ordered CZI to pay US$180,000, interest at 5% per annum, and legal costs.
The case dates back to 2002–2003, when Mbatha worked as a personal assistant to former CZI chief executive Farai Zizhou.
She filed suit in 2014, alleging persistent sexual harassment, including inappropriate touching, attempted forced kissing, and offensive messages.
In a landmark 2021 ruling, High Court judge Joseph Mafusire awarded Mbatha US$180,000 against Zizhou, affirming that sexual harassment is actionable under both labour law and delictual (civil) law.
The court also found that Zizhou had engineered Mbatha's dismissal after she rejected his advances and reported the misconduct.
In January 2024, another High Court ruling by Gladys Mhuri granted Mbatha US$47,850 for unfair dismissal against CZI.
With the latest award, Mbatha has now secured a total of approximately US$407,850 in damages arising from the case.
Legal experts say the rulings collectively mark a significant precedent in Zimbabwe, reinforcing employer accountability and affirming the legal consequences of failing to address workplace sexual harassment.
The latest ruling brings Mbatha's total compensation in the matter to over US$400,000, following earlier awards against both her former employer and its former chief executive.
In a judgment delivered by High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi, the court found CZI vicariously liable for failing to act on Mbatha's complaints of sexual harassment.
Chitapi described the organisation's conduct as "reprehensible", stating that its failure to intervene after the complaint warranted exemplary damages.
"The second defendant's moral blameworthiness is high… the conduct to not take action on the plaintiff's report is to be deprecated," the judge ruled.
He ordered CZI to pay US$180,000, interest at 5% per annum, and legal costs.
The case dates back to 2002–2003, when Mbatha worked as a personal assistant to former CZI chief executive Farai Zizhou.
She filed suit in 2014, alleging persistent sexual harassment, including inappropriate touching, attempted forced kissing, and offensive messages.
In a landmark 2021 ruling, High Court judge Joseph Mafusire awarded Mbatha US$180,000 against Zizhou, affirming that sexual harassment is actionable under both labour law and delictual (civil) law.
The court also found that Zizhou had engineered Mbatha's dismissal after she rejected his advances and reported the misconduct.
In January 2024, another High Court ruling by Gladys Mhuri granted Mbatha US$47,850 for unfair dismissal against CZI.
With the latest award, Mbatha has now secured a total of approximately US$407,850 in damages arising from the case.
Legal experts say the rulings collectively mark a significant precedent in Zimbabwe, reinforcing employer accountability and affirming the legal consequences of failing to address workplace sexual harassment.
Source - online
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