By Ndumiso Tshuma
Former employees of Padenga Holdings Limited in Kariba, Zimbabwe’s leading supplier of crocodile skins and meat, are accusing the company of forced retirements without proper explanations or adequate compensation.
Tensions have been escalating since the dismissal of several workers in July 2024, with employees alleging that management did not honour labour laws governing severance pay.
Padenga Holdings operates three crocodile farms in Zimbabwe – Kariba Crocodile Farm, Ume Crocodile Farm and Nyanya Crocodile Farm – each with a capacity to breed up to 15 000 hatchlings annually.
However, workers, who live under Chief Mola, claim they were unfairly treated during their termination process.
“Out of a team of 21 workers who were dismissed, we all had different roles; some were garden boys, while others were involved in the intricate task of feeding and caring for crocodiles,” said one of the workers who requested anonymity, fearing victimisation.
The dismissed employees told CITE that they were summoned individually on July 18, 2024, by the company’s human resources team and asked to sign documents acknowledging their termination.
“We signed the papers, and they told us we would receive our payment on July 25, 2024,” the worker said.
No reasons for the layoffs were provided, and workers said they waited to receive their ‘promised’ payment by July 25, 2024.
“When the day came, we were told the company would adhere to legal standards for severance pay, but this amounted to just two weeks’ pay for every year of service,” one former employee said.
The workers objected, arguing that Zimbabwean labour laws stipulate that employees under forced retirement are entitled to three months’ pay for each year of service.
They also questioned why they were targeted for termination when none of them fit the usual criteria, such as advanced age or health issues.
“We understand that forced retirements are usually for older or unwell workers, but none of us fell into that category,” a worker said.
After organising legal representation, the workers engaged Padenga Holdings in negotiations, culminating in a formal hearing in October 2024.
Following discussions, a new agreement was reached where the employees would receive one month’s pay for each year of service.
“For someone who worked five years, the payout would be equivalent to five months’ salary. Those with 12 years of service would receive a year’s salary,” explained one of the workers.
Despite the resolution, workers remain dissatisfied, stating that the revised terms still fall short of the statutory three-month-per-year compensation for forced retirements.
Efforts to receive a response from Padenga Holdings management were met with resistance as the company’s Human Resources Manager, Victor Chideme, declined to comment, directing inquiries to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“I am not cleared to engage at this level. The CEO will be able to comment on this,” Chideme said.
Efforts to reach the CEO were unsuccessful. Similarly, General Manager, Mike Ncube distanced himself from the issue.
“This is an HR matter, and I cannot get involved at all. If HR is not responsive, there is nothing I can do,” he stated.
Further attempts to contact Chideme proved futile, with him stating he was “in a meeting” and subsequent follow-ups going unanswered.
The dismissed employees continue to seek clarity and justice regarding their forced retirements. “We want our rightful compensation,” a former worker said.
