Zimbabwe military broadcaster loses labour battle against 70 employees

HARARE – A Zimbabwean labour tribunal has ruled that Nkululeko Rusununguko TV (NRTV), a Zimbabwean military run television, unlawfully failed to pay salaries to more than 70 employees for several months, ordering the broadcaster to settle all outstanding wages within 30 days.

In an arbitration award dated 17 November 2025, arbitrator Patience Kavuru found that NRTV did not pay wages to employees from December 2024 through to September 2025, with the exception of full payment for January 2025 and a partial payment of US$150 per employee in May 2025.

The case was brought by workers led by Walter Duri, with representation from the Electronics Communications and Allied Industries Workers’ Union.

The dispute arose after efforts to resolve the matter through conciliation at the National Employment Council (NEC) failed. A Certificate of No Settlement was issued in September 2025, leading to arbitration proceedings held at NRTV’s Harare offices on 22 October 2025.

In its submissions, NRTV did not deny that salaries had gone unpaid but disputed the number of affected employees, arguing that some had left employment before September 2025 and that managerial staff were incorrectly included in the claim.

The broadcaster proposed to clear the arrears in installments by December 2025, citing financial difficulties.

However, the arbitrator rejected this proposal, ruling that the company’s actions violated Section 12A(3) and Section 8(e) of the Labour Act, as well as Section 13(1) of Statutory Instrument 247 of 2006, which requires employers to pay wages regularly and on time.

The tribunal also noted that NRTV had not applied for an exemption under the collective bargaining agreement nor provided evidence to substantiate its claimed financial challenges.

The tribunal noted: “The respondent should take note that Section 6(2) of the Labour Act states that any person who contravenes subsection 6(1)(c) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

“In light of this, not paying wages to concerned employees which this tribunal seeks to determine thereof amounts to an unfair labour practice in terms of Section 8(e)(1) -(iv) of the Labour Act thus the claim stands.”

The tribunal ordered NRTV to pay all outstanding wages for December 2024, February to April 2025, part of May 2025, and June to September 2025 within 30 days of the award. As of now, the employees say no payments have been made since the ruling.

NRTV is among several television stations licensed in Zimbabwe that are directly linked to the state, including the military, in a broadcasting landscape where independent operators have struggled to obtain licences.

According to workers, the situation at NRTV has affected both livelihoods and the broadcaster’s output, with limited production and programming taking place.