Elite College Sackings Ignite Labour Rights Alarm

Elite College in Harare faces backlash over abrupt teacher retrenchments alleged to violate Zimbabwe’s labour laws (image source)

HARARE — Elite College has come under fire after a wave of sudden retrenchments left several teachers jobless and raised questions about compliance with Zimbabwe’s labour laws. Parents, educators, and labour advocates say the dismissals were abrupt, lacked formal consultation, and omitted the severance and notice procedures required by statute.

Teachers at the private institution report being told their contracts were terminated with immediate effect and given no written notices. One dismissed teacher, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said administrators convened a brief meeting last week and handed out termination letters without prior consultation or explanation.

“This was done overnight. No consultation, no package, nothing,” the teacher said.

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has issued a formal complaint to the Ministry of Labour, calling for an urgent investigation and immediate reinstatement or fair compensation for affected staff. ZIMTA’s leadership described the college’s actions as a breach of the Labour Act, which requires employers to engage a Retrenchment Board and follow due process where collective redundancies are contemplated.

“Retrenchment must be a process, not an edict. Educators deserve respect and lawful procedures,” said ZIMTA Secretary-General Tapson Sibanda.

Legal experts warn Elite College faces exposure to litigation and penalties if investigations confirm procedural breaches. Labour lawyer Rudo Mupambirei explained that employers who fail to consult employees and the Retrenchment Board risk court challenges and orders for reinstatement or compensation.

“If an employer cannot produce evidence of meaningful consultation and a valid business case, retrenchments can be declared null and void,” Mupambirei said.

The retrenchments come amid declining enrolment rates at some private schools and rising operating costs driven by inflation and utility instability. School administrators privately cite cashflow pressures and shrinking tuition revenue as drivers of cost-cutting measures, although Elite College’s management has not issued a public statement to confirm the rationale.

Parents and local community groups are organising to demand transparency. A parent representative said caregivers were blindsided by the dismissals and want assurances that the quality of instruction will not be eroded.

“We pay for continuity and professionalism. Sudden staff losses undermine the education our children receive,” the parent said.

The Ministry of Labour has acknowledged receipt of complaints and confirmed it will investigate whether the college complied with retrenchment rules. Observers say the case will test Zimbabwe’s regulatory enforcement in the private education sector at a time when schools increasingly face economic pressures.