By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
FORMER Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) chief executive officer Gladwell Banda has sued the agency demanding payment of his terminal benefits amounting over K1 million.
Mr Banda seeks a restraining order against RTSA from interfering with a personal use or peaceful enjoyment of his motor vehicle registration no. BAP 6882 pending determination of the matter.
In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Mr Banda said he was employed by RTSA on January 3, 2020 on a fixed term contract of three years, renewable at the discretion of the employer.
He stated that one of the terms of contract of service that he was to be subjected to a bi annual performance appraisal which had a bearing on his contract of employment.
“During the CEO’s 2021 performance contract on march 16 2021 the plaintiff was awarded ‘A’ exceptional performance by the board of directors with a one salary notch value.
“The plaintiff was entitled to a personal to holder vehicle under clause 7 of the contract of service.
He was entitled to purchase after depreciation at rate of 25 percent per annum and to be sold at 20 percent of the residue value amount following deduction of depreciation value and any taxes payable as provided for in the contract service.
His contract of service also provided for accrued leave days at the rate of 3.5 days per month.
Mr Banda was summarily dismissed from employment on August 12, 2022 on alleged ground of gross negligence.
He said after his dismissal, RTSA computed his terminal benefits for K1, 009, 697.29, less cost of vehicle.
Mr Banda said when he demanded payment of his emoluments, he was told that RTSA had received instructions not to pay him what is due to him.
And that his former employer had received verbal instructions from the board of directors requesting that he surrenders his personal to holder vehicle to the company.
Mr Banda said that through a demand letter dated September 29, 2022, requested payment of the money and for RTSA to follow lawful procedure relating to the alleged recovery of his personal to holder vehicle.
He said RTSA responded on October 3, 2022, and assured him that it was in the process of reconciling information relating to his terminal benefits and further that the position will be known by October 7, 2022.
Mr Banda said RTSA has ignored to pay him this terminal benefits which as a result he has suffered severe inconvenience and financial stress.
