Zimbabwe Platinum Mines is facing legal action from a former employee, Lameck Chingwaru, who is contesting his September 2025 dismissal, arguing that he was denied the right to legal representation during disciplinary proceedings.
The dispute stems from allegations of theft, fraud, and bribery arising from a workplace disciplinary hearing.
According to court filings submitted to the High Court of Zimbabwe, Chingwaru was dismissed by a disciplinary committee chaired by Gibson Munyimani after being found guilty of soliciting and collecting money from employees during a mandatory first aid training session.
The funds were allegedly collected under the pretext of waiving an assessment.
Chingwaru disputes this version of events, arguing that the money was a token of appreciation meant for an external health assessor and not an act of criminal conduct.
Through his lawyer, Advocate Learnmore Kufinya, Chingwaru argued that the disciplinary process was fundamentally flawed. In his court application, he claimed that the committee convicted him without proving the essential elements of theft, fraud, or bribery.
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“A clear reading of the record of proceedings… shows that the first respondent relied on speculative allegations which were baseless. The charges faced by the applicant were theft, bribery and fraud according to the code of employment, but none of the essential elements of the charges were proven in the hearing,” part of the court papers reads.
Chingwaru further alleges that his constitutional right to legal representation was violated, claiming he was barred from being represented by a lawyer during the internal hearings.
He also argues that Zimplats breached its own code of conduct by dismissing him without first issuing a final written warning.
“The code of conduct provides that when an employee commits any serious breach for the first time—including theft, fraud or corruption—they shall be given a final written warning effective for nine months.
This final written warning was never given to the applicant… This shows foul play on the part of the second respondent,” the papers add.
However, the disciplinary committee found that Chingwaru knowingly violated company policies, including ethics and fraud guidelines. It concluded that he collected money from employees and diverted it for personal use, warranting dismissal.
Chingwaru is now seeking a court order overturning his dismissal, reinstatement to his position, and payment of all lost salaries and benefits.
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