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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
FIVE retired National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) employees have taken their former employer to court over their outstanding salaries and terminal benefits amounting to more than $90 000.

Mr Gilbert Chiwaura, Mr Elliah Banda, Mr Oliver Nkomo, Mr Titus Moyo and Mr Poster Zinyama were employed by NRZ in various capacities between 1977 and 2016.

They were forced into early retirement last year.

The applicants, through their lawyers Vundhla-Phulu and Partners, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing NRZ as the defendant.

They are demanding a total amount of $92 818 in salary arrears and terminal benefits.

NRZ owes Mr Chiwaura $19 491; Mr Banda $18 729 while Mr Nkomo is owed $16 996.

Mr Moyo and Mr Zinyama are owed $18 505 and $19 096 respectively.

The quintet’s contracts of employment were terminated between February and July last year.

They said NRZ has despite demand continuously failed or neglected to pay their dues.

“The defendant has refused, failed and neglected to pay the plaintiffs outstanding salaries and benefits despite legal demand being made of the same.

Wherefore plaintiffs’ claim against the defendant is for an order for the payment of $92 818 being the balance for outstanding salaries benefits,” said the plaintiffs’ lawyers.The former workers want an order directing NRZ to pay the money as well as the legal costs.NRZ has not yet filed opposing papers.The struggling parastatal has now failed to pay its workers for several months.

The workers, who are owed thousands of dollars in unpaid transport allowances, in May last year staged nationwide protests to force management to pay them their outstanding salaries. @mashnets