Former ZNA captain struggles to reclaim job after wrongful incarceration

A former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) captain whose contract was terminated during his wrongful incarceration has expressed frustration after his efforts to reclaim his job have proven unsuccessful. Solomon Ndlovu, who was jailed in 2017 following a false accusation of theft, has revealed the struggles he faces to receive any form of compensation or reinstatement.

In March 2024, Ndlovu appealed directly to ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, seeking help to restore his position. However, to date, his requests have gone unanswered.

"I am not getting paid or receiving any pension because both efforts to be reinstated and to sign my retirement forms have failed due to unclear circumstances," Ndlovu said. "Corruption has played a significant role in the unclear status of my issue."

Ndlovu's ordeal began in 2017, when he was accused by businessman and Zanu-PF activist Osfael Mazibuko, along with his manager Denis Ndlovu, of stealing a Toyota Hilux vehicle. As a result, Ndlovu was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison by Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira in January 2018. He was given a five-month suspension for restitution and a further two-month suspension for good behavior, but still faced a lengthy prison sentence.

After appealing his conviction, Ndlovu was acquitted by the High Court in 2019 after spending one year and eight months at Khami Maximum Security Prison in Bulawayo.

Despite his release, Ndlovu's attempts to be reinstated into the army have been met with repeated setbacks. He explained, "When I asked what I was supposed to do, I was advised to go for vetting and fill in renewal of contract papers. I did that, but while processing them, one colonel, who is now in Botswana, charged me for a delay, and my money was seized. Up to now, I am not getting paid."

The situation worsened when he was later informed that his contract had lapsed due to the delay in its renewal. "They said I had missed the contract renewal date and that I was too late to be reinstated," he said.

Ndlovu's frustration grew as he was eventually instructed to fill out retirement papers instead of being reinstated or promoted according to procedure. "I asked why they couldn't just reinstate me, promote me according to procedure, and then I could retire. I am ready to retire, but only if the proper procedure is followed," he added.

The former army officer now finds himself in a precarious situation, struggling with financial hardship and uncertainty. Despite his years of service, the unresolved status of his employment has left him without the support he needs, either from his pension or his previous role in the army.

As his efforts continue to go unanswered, Ndlovu is left questioning the transparency and fairness of the military's treatment of former soldiers who find themselves in similar situations.