Court dismisses UNZALARU’s K4.5m claim

BY GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA THE Lusaka High Court has dismissed the matter in which the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) sued the University of Zambia Council demanding K4.5 million unremitted union contribution. UNZALARU Secretary General Dr Kelvin Mambwe who sued the Council on behalf of the union was also demanding interest, costs and incidentals to the proceedings. Dr Mambwe in a claim said in March 1993, the union entered into an agreement with the Council which was entrusted with the role of collecting union contributions from the members by deducting direct from their salaries. He stated that the UNZA council had been deducting monthly union contribution fees but had not been remitting to UNZALARU. Dr Mambwe said the UNZA owed the union members K4, 505, 587.52 being arrears of unremitted union contributions despite the funds having already being deducted from members. The union’s operations depended on the contributions from its members and hence the UNZA Council’s failure to remit the funds had negatively affected operations. He said despite the union making several reminders, the Council had not made any efforts to settle the outstanding amount. But in an order issued to the parties, Judge Mwamba Chanda dismissed the matter for lack of progress. “This matter is hereby dismissed on the ground that no progress has been recorded 60 days after the filing of this action pursuant to Order 14 Rule 8 of Statutory Instrument no. 58,” Justice Chanda declared.