By JOHN SAKALA
Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company has been sued by its employees’ union for interfering in union matters in the fight that has erupted between union members.
But Mulonga Water Managing Director Kanyembo Ndhlovu says the utility firm has obligation to arbitrate when employees’ differences are affecting productivity.
According to the affidavit filed in the Chingola Magistrate Court, Zambia Water and Sanitation Engineering and Allied Workers Union (ZWSEAWU) branch chairperson Brian Mulilo has sued his vice chair John Chivunda as first respondent.
Mulonga Water and Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) as second and third respondents respectively under case number 2018/SC/318 under Civil.
The facts are that Mulilo had differences with his vice Chivunda which started affecting the productivity of the duo at Mulonga who are employees of the same water utility firm.
Chavunda has been sued for working with Mulonga Water management to with scrap Mulilo off Mulilo as a signatory to union bank account.
While Mulonga Water, has been sued for interfering in union matters and for defamation of Mulilo.
Mulilo feel defamed that being removed as a signatory suggests that he abused some for funds for the union.
Znaco has been sued for quickly removing Mulio as signatory knowing too well that the union and the utility firm are too separate entitites.
According ZWSEAWU Constitution Article 23 section 2a number vii says in case of any abuse of funds of the union at branch level, the national union executive shall discipline shall erring members.
But Mr Ndhlovu said the matter was mainly between the two union members who happen to employees of the utility firm.
“We felt duty bound to mediate between the two members in resolving their differences which was affecting their productivity. We are second respondents and shall answer in court,” he said.
