Zamfresh Assault Prompts Labour Action

Labour Commissioner leads Ministry crackdown on workplace abuse; Police investigate alleged theft

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (3rd March 2026) – The alleged assault of a female employee by two Chinese supervisors at Zamfresh has prompted the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to take immediate action, announcing plans to recommend the revocation of their work permits. 

The Ministry, through Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa, said the supervisors’ actions over theft accusations constitute serious violations of workplace standards.

Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa said the Ministry had reviewed CCTV footage showing the employee being physically handled by her supervisors. 

Speaking during a tour of Zamfresh in Lusaka on Monday, Muntengwa described the supervisors’ conduct as unacceptable and in breach of Zambia’s labour laws.

He stressed that the government would not tolerate the mistreatment of Zambian workers by foreign nationals.

Muntengwa further cautioned Zamfresh to adhere to proper labour practices and avoid creating a negative narrative that undermines employee rights.

“We don’t want you to create a narrative in the labour sector that what happens can happen and can be done to any employee. Labour sector is not for fights, it’s for serious business,” Muntengwa said.

He emphasized that the labour sector is built on social dialogue, not conflict, and highlighted the importance of resolving disputes amicably rather than through acts such as stone throwing.

Muntengwa urged the company to address issues through proper channels.

“If someone has stolen, you bring evidence. That’s the process. Bad elements must be removed from the labour sector,” he said.

According to a statement issued by Mwaka Ndawa (MS), Principal Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Muntengwa led inspections at the company.

 Preliminary findings indicate indecent assault as the supervisors attempted to restrain the employee from allegedly fleeing the office.

Ms. Ndawa emphasized that Zambia’s ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190 reinforces the country’s commitment to ending violence, abuse, and harassment in the workplace. 

She said the government must ensure that employers maintain workplaces free from abuse, violence, and harassment.

“Foreign nationals working in Zambia are equally bound by our labour laws and international obligations; violence, abuse, and harassment in the workplace will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Ms. Ndawa stated.

She urged employers to follow established grievance handling and disciplinary procedures when addressing allegations of misconduct. 

“Taking the law into one’s own hands is a serious breach of labour standards and may attract administrative and legal consequences, including potential citations by the ILO for violations of employee rights,” she warned.

Ms. Ndawa also called for social dialogue mechanisms in resolving workplace disputes, highlighting that engagement between management, workers, and, where applicable, trade unions remains key to stable industrial relations.

In a related development, the Ministry has charged Sunshare Group of Companies K160,000 for failing to issue written employment contracts and pay slips to employees. The company has two weeks to settle the penalties.

Operations at Sunshare Investments’ old factory have been suspended for failing to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers. 

The Ministry stated that operations will resume only once full compliance with occupational safety and health standards is achieved.

Ms. Ndawa detailed that the company must immediately issue written contracts to all employees, settle salary arrears in line with minimum wage laws, ensure salaries are paid electronically, and improve sanitary working conditions identified during inspections, all by Friday, 6th March 2026.

She concluded by assuring workers that the Ministry prioritizes their safety, dignity, and rights. 

She emphasized that employers will receive support in complying with labour laws, grievance procedures, and social dialogue mechanisms through guidance, inspections, and enforcement where necessary.

Meanwhile, Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha clarified that the cashier was restrained after allegedly attempting to flee with company funds.

Kaitisha said investigators recovered K7,500 suspected to have been stolen in the commotion.

“Another suspect, believed to have acted with the cashier, escaped and remains on the run as police continue their investigations,” she added.