By Wezhira Munya
It never rains but pours for The Movement for Democratic Change – T (MDC-T) and its President, Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, have been ordered to pay $176,465 United States Dollars or ZiG equivalent using bank rate, to former workers after being found guilty of failing to settle their salaries. Reports from several MDC-T leaders, who spoke to Change Radio on the condition of anonymity, indicate that the party is currently in a dire financial situation and unable to meet this obligation. This judgment was given on 5th August 2025 .
MDC T property can be attached if Mwonzora and his party fail to pay workers in the next 30 days.
This judgment comes after Mwonzora and his party were heavily defeated in Epworth council by elections and failed to field candidates in other by elections recently.
MDC-T is struggling to pay basic utility bills, including water and electricity, as well as salaries for current employees at the former Harvest House, now known as Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House. In an attempt to raise funds, Mwonzora has converted the party’s offices into rental spaces for small businesses, essentially turning them into tuckshops.
During the 2023 harmonized elections, Mwonzora failed to pay the nomination fees for parliamentary candidates to the Zimbabwe Election Commission, which resulted in the party being unable to field any candidates. Although MDC-T received political funds up to 2022, it has not used those resources to pay its employees or cover service charges.
The ruling was delivered by Government Arbitrator Mercy Dare in the Harare Labour Court. MDC-T was represented by Mwonzora and Associates, but they lost the case. The party has claimed to support workers’ rights while failing to pay its own staff.
The case arose when MDC-T failed to pay the salaries of 14 employees across Harare, Masvingo, and other provinces. The arbitrator, Ms. Dare, calculated the compensation for each worker based on salary arrears, notice pay, and compensation for loss of employment.
Following is the breakdown of payments to Each Worker:
Read the full attached judgment
1. Matthew Dondo: Salary – $10,800, Notice Pay – $900, Compensation – $7,200. Total: $18,900
2. Francis Machifoza: Salary – $9,000, Notice Pay – $750, Compensation – $2,750. Total: $12,500
3. Gertrude Muchakare: Salary – $9,000, Notice Pay – $750, Compensation – $1,000. Total: $10,750
4. *Everisto Chisi: Salary – $9,000, Notice Pay – $750, Compensation – $1,500. *Total: $11,250
5. Samson Njovo: Salary – $5,400, Notice Pay – $450, Compensation – $2,700. Total: $8,550
6. Fungai Gumbu: Salary – $8,820, Notice Pay – $690, Compensation – $1,380. Total: $10,350
7. Trust Phiri: Salary – $9,960, Notice Pay – $825, Compensation – $4,400. Total: $15,250
8. Wallace Chibikira: Salary – $14,400, Notice Pay – $1,800, Compensation – $15,000. Total: $31,200
9. Godfrey Ushe: Salary – $8,120, Notice Pay – $540, Compensation – $4,500. Total: $13,160
10. Peter Chigaba: Salary – $9,000, Notice Pay – $750, Compensation – $5,750. Total: $15,500
11. Pilani Ngoniye: Salary – $6,480, Notice Pay – $540, Compensation – $2,880. Total: $9,900
12. Joshua Chanyau: Salary – $4,350, Notice Pay – $450, Compensation – $1,050. Total: $5,850
13. Joshua Nyapfumbi: Salary – $4,935, Notice Pay – $705, Compensation – $1,410. Total: $7,050
14. Victor Mudende: Total: $6,380 (details not specified).
This ruling underscores the financial difficulties faced by MDC-T under Mwonzora’s leadership, raising questions about the party’s future viability and commitment to its employees.
