Law Commons^™

Toyota Motors South Africa (Pty) Ltd V Numsa Obo Njini And Others (D 692/19 [2022] Zalcd 12 (14 July 2022), Stephen Nkosi

SAIPAR Case Review

This was an application in terms of s 145 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1966. Toyota sought to have the decision of the CCMA, ordering the re-instatement of Mr Lungile Njini - then an employee of Toyota for 17 years – be set aside, and that his dismissal be declared fair. The case represents an interesting interplay between the quest for discipline and productivity in the workplace and the right to exercise one’s constitutional right to culture as provided for in s 30 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act. This note is divided into …

Emporium Fresh Foods Limited T/A Food Lovers Market And Gourment Market Limited V. Kapya Chisanga Caz Appeal No. 44/2021, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

The Respondent, Mr. Kapya Chisanga was alleged to have disclosed information to people, without authority. Following this, he was summarily dismissed. The Respondent challenged his dismissal in the High Court alleging that his dismissal was wrongful, unlawful, and unfair. The High Court held that the Respondent’s dismissal was wrongful, unlawful, and unfair, and granted 24 months salary as damages. The employer subsequently appealed the matter to the Court of Appeal for determination.

The Court of Appeal held that before an employer summarily dismisses an employee, the employee must be subject to a due process. According to the Court of Appeal, …

Zambia Electronic Clearing House Limited V. James Kalengo Caz Appeal No. 239 Of 2020, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

The Court of Appeal’s decision in James Kalengo is crucial because it demonstrates that the concept of a legitimate expectation of renewal, as a principle and concept exists under Zambian employment law. Whilst an employer does retain the discretion to renew a contract of employment or not when it is due to expire, an employee may have a legitimate expectation of renewal if there is any past practice, prior promise or bad faith/mala fides in relation to the renewal.

Mark Tink And Others V. Lumwana Mining Company Limited Caz Appeal No. 41/2021, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

The decision in Mark Tink and Others v. Lumwana Mining Company Limited is an important decision because it clarifies and restates that law that a valid reason, that is substantiated is required when an employer initiates termination of the contract of employment.

This article critiques the approach of the Court of Appeal as it relates to the award of damages. This article seeks to provide clarity as it relates to the award of damages, particularly the way is granted and justified. It is suggested that when the opportunity arises either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court should revise …

Standard Chartered Bank Plc V Celine Meena Nair [2019] Zmca 221, Ntemena Mwanamwambwa, Milambo Chibbonta-Pupwe

SAIPAR Case Review

This case is one of a kind and therefore significant for several reasons in the jurisprudence of Zambian Employment Law. The case highlights that the employer-employee relationship is one founded on the implied term of mutual trust and confidence which entails that both parties must accord each other due trust and respect regardless of status.

The decision in this case, sets a clear and stern tone in cases of constructive dismissal bordering on toxicity within the working environment. Thus, employers are put on notice to adhere to their own grievance procedures particularly in cases involving bullying, harassment and victimization such …

Mubita Mwananuka V Armaguard Security Caz Appeal No. 201/2021, O'Brien Kaaba

SAIPAR Case Review

The Court of Appeal of Zambia, in the case of Mubita Mwananuka v Armaguard Security CAZ Appeal No. 201/2021, delivered a Ruling on 3rd August 2022 to divest the High Court General List of jurisdiction over employment matters. I argue that this decision is in clear violation of the Constitution and demonstrates bewildering disregard of precedents by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, which bind the Court of Appeal.

Mp Infrastructure Zambia Limited V. Matt Smith And Kenneth Barnes Caz Appeal No. 102/2020, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

No abstract provided.

Charles Mushitu (Sued In His Capacity As Secretary-General Of Zambia Red Cross Society) V. Christabel M. Kaumba Scz Appeal No. 122/2015, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

An employee worked under a project that terminated and was then placed on unpaid leave for almost nine (9) months when she was appointed to another post in another town, Choma. The issue here was does the employee have any relief for being unpaid for the 9-month period?

The Supreme Court held that the employers conduct amounted to a fundamental breach of contract when the employee was placed on unpaid, forced, indefinite leave. Therefore, due to their failure to pay the employee whilst he was still an employee, the employer not only breached the duty to pay wages, which constitutes …

Kenny Sililo V. Mend-A-Bath Zambia Limited And Spencon Zambia Limited Scz Appeal No. 168/2014, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

The employer and employee had entered a written contract of employment. However, during the employment, a statutory instrument made pursuant to the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act came into effect. As a result of this statutory instrument, certain minimum wages were prescribed for protected employees, of which the employee in question was one. The employer thereafter offered him a reduced salary as his current salary was above that prescribed by the statutory instrument. The employee complained about the employer’s conduct and declined the offer, as he considered it to be a unilateral alteration of his conditions of service. …

The Correct Procedure For Commencing An Action In The Industrial Relations Division Of The High Court: Edward Chilufya Mwansa And 194 Others V. Konkola Copper Mines Plc Scz Appeal No. 99/2015 And Concrete Pipes V. Kingsley Kaimba And Another Scz Appeal No. 014/2015, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

In Edward Chilufya Mwansa and 194 Others v. Konkola Copper Mines Plc, the Supreme Court dealt with a scenario where several employees had been dismissed and sought to enter an out of court settlement with their employer, through the assistance of the Labour Office. This process lasted over three years

In Concrete Pipes v. Kingsley Kaimba and Another, the Supreme Court dealt with an appeal from a Ruling of the Industrial Relations Court dismissing a preliminary issue in relation to the need to exhaust internal administrative channels before commencing an action before the court.

Rabson Sikombe V. Access Bank (Zambia) Limited Scz Appeal No. 240/2013, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

The employee was employed as a Transaction Officer with effect from the 17th of November 2008. He was suspended from duty on the 15th of May, 2009 following an investigation into the sum of K804 million, unauthorized overdraft on an account held in the respondent's Bank by a company called ZCON,it being alleged that the appellant failed to manage the credit portfolio by not constantly reviewing the overdrawn account, leading to the customer's overdrawn position exceeding the approved limit of K350 million.

It was further alleged that the employee had provided false information that the client had an approved facility …

Mumba Malila, An Advocate For The Vulnerable Worker: Tiger Chicks (T/A Progressive Poultry Limited) V. Tembo Chrisford And Others Scz Appeal No. 06/2020 And Kasembo Transport Limited V. Collins John Kinnear Scz Appeal No. 89/2010, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

Basic conditions of employment refer to minimum conditions of employment that an employer must provide for employees. The law in Zambia has set minimum standards and basic conditions of employment for workers in the Employment Code Act. In addition to the Employment Code Act, specific groups of vulnerable workers have Ministerial Orders in the form of statutory instruments that provide specific basic conditions of employment. These statutory instruments, namely the General Order, Shop Workers Order, Domestic Workers Order and Truck and Bus Drivers Orders provide for the minimum wage and basic conditions of employment for specified, vulnerable workers and together …

Frida Kabaso (Sued As Country Director Of Voluntary Services Overseas Zambia) V. Davies Tembo Scz Appeal No. 04/2012, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

This action concerned an appeal from the Industrial Relations Court where an employee was employed on a permanent contract by Voluntary Services Overseas Zambia as an Administrative Officer on 11th July 1996. He was later promoted to the position of Officer Manager.

In 2001/2002, the employer changed its employment policy from employing staff on permanent terms to employing them on fixed-term contract. By 2008, the employer begun restructuring and informed employees. The employee’s position of Officer Manager was phased out and removed from the employer’s organisational structure, with two positions created, including that of Finance Manager. The employee claimed a …

Chansa Ng’Onga V. Alfred H. Knight (Z) Limited Selected Judgment No. 26 Of 2019, Chanda Chungu

SAIPAR Case Review

An Appellant was employed as the Sectional Leader in the Lubricants Testing Department of the employer’s business. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lubricant Testing Manager.

During his employment as Lubricant Training Manager, he was suspended due to being absent from work for five days without his supervisor’s permission. Under the employer’s Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, the penalty for a first offender was a written warning. This notwithstanding, he was dismissed after three weeks, without any formal charges raised against him and his letter of dismissal outlined that he was dismissed for offences for which he was not …