Wednesday, July 15

Blessed Mhlanga Journalist Nhai Tenzi

#BlessedMhlangaLetterFromPrison

 

Harare, Remand Prison, 7 April 2025

 

Dear friends and fellow Zimbabweans 

As I write from this discomfort of my overcrowded cell, I am suffering from a serious bout of flue which has drained my strength and now threatens my inner peace. Sleep hardly comes as deep thoughts and lice battle for my attention at the most undesirable times. Such is the life I have lived for the past 41 days. 

The State has unleashed its worst to keep me here and mostly in total disregard of the Constitution.

 

 

 

 

I know I will be staying here longer for the sins of freedoms, particularly that of expression. I stay in the D class section with the most dangerous criminals. 

My friends the journey has not been easy and it remains extremely difficult as we nudge forward; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s very uncomfortable but unavoidable.

 

It’s a journey filled with frustrations and pain which at times overwhelms me to tears, anger and pushes me to the edge of emotional breakdown. 

During these times of near emotional breakdown, I have fought with everyone around me. I have fought with my fantastic legal team, and my fellow colleagues in the media who have been standing head and shoulders in my defense. I have fought with my employer of choice and even with my own family.

 

 

 

 

Prison dear friends is a dark place it taints the soul and clouds one’s judgement, for when in pain, alone and closed out to the world life is not the same. We begin to see friends as enemies and all good efforts towards us as insufficient. I tell you friends, these walls of punishment built by Smith and abused by our own carry with them a curse that needs a strong heart and mind to survive.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear friends, I am in pain, lost and sadly broken. This experience is not just a today event, but it will traumatize me for the rest of my life. It’s a terrible battle which however I can’t afford to lose. It’s not easy to keep going but I have no choice to quit nor the desire to stop.

 

Honestly I can’t imagine how I would have survived without your voices of solidarity and love. Your donations towards my upkeep in this dark place will never be forgotten or taken for granted. My lawyers bring me all your encouraging words and deeds of compassion. I say this without fear of contradicting myself - it is you who have carried me.

 

 

 

 

As I write, shaking, not from the strong violent bouts of cough, which have erased my smile over the past week and at worst have rocked this pen out of my hands. I am overwhelmed with tears, not from the pain of pre-trial punishment. It’s tears not from the moving songs of worship sung by fellows in my cell, some who have killed and some have robbed others at gun point no. These are tears of joy and determination to go on, all this watered by the blood of your sacrifices and support. I wish to thank you all from the centre of my being, which center remains solid even in the face of adversity.

 

 

 

 

I am told that you have raised 4000 pounds toward my welfare through a GofundMe organized by fellow journalist and brother Hopewell Chin’ono appointed by family and myself to so lead.

 

 

 

 

My heart is humbled by this act of love, which I have no doubt that I have not earned in anyway. There are many who have donated through other channels. These efforts have kept my kids in school and fed. They have also spared me the pain of of eating the sad story of food fed to fellow prisoners here. These rations which hardly pass the definition of meals are not even pleasing to the eye, I honestly wonder what extent of assault the tastebuds of those who eat this food endure. I thank you for not forgetting me or my family.

 

 

 

 

 

Although in pain, I remain unshaken and committed to my profession of choice. I strongly believe that it’s the ordinary people who matter more than those who control the levers of power.

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Employment Class Action Lawsuit: Wage, Overtime, and Worker Rights

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Employment Class Action Lawsuit: Wage, Overtime, and Worker Rights

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When one employee is underpaid, it may be a mistake. When hundreds or thousands of workers are underpaid in the same way, it may become an employment class action lawsuit.

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Employment class actions can help workers challenge company-wide policies that allegedly violate wage, hour, discrimination, or labor laws.

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These cases may involve unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, misclassification, meal breaks, unpaid commissions, background check violations, or discriminatory practices.

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What Is an Employment Class Action?

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An employment class action is a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of workers with similar legal claims against an employer.

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The workers may have been affected by the same:

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Pay policy
rnTimekeeping system
rnJob classification
rnBreak policy
rnCommission plan
rnBackground check process
rnHiring practice
rnScheduling practice
rnWorkplace rule

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In federal court, class actions must satisfy Rule 23 requirements, including common legal or factual questions and adequate representation.

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Common Employment Class Action Claims

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Unpaid Overtime

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Employees may claim they worked more than 40 hours per week but were not properly paid overtime.

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Off-the-Clock Work

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Workers may claim they were required to work before clocking in, after clocking out, during unpaid breaks, or while responding to messages outside scheduled hours.

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Misclassification

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Some workers may claim they were wrongly classified as independent contractors or exempt employees.

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Meal and Rest Break Violations

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State laws may require certain meal or rest breaks. Violations can affect many workers.

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Unpaid Commissions or Bonuses

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Sales employees may bring claims over unpaid commissions, incentive pay, or bonus plans.

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Discrimination Class Actions

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Workers may challenge company-wide discrimination in hiring, pay, promotion, or termination.

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What Evidence Helps Workers?

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Useful evidence may include:

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Pay stubs
rnTime records
rnSchedules
rnEmails
rnText messages
rnCompany policies
rnEmployee handbook
rnJob descriptions
rnCommission agreements
rnClock-in records
rnWitness statements
rnPerformance records

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Workers should save documents when legally allowed and avoid deleting important communications.

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Can You Be Fired for Joining a Lawsuit?

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Retaliation laws may protect employees who assert workplace rights. However, retaliation issues can be complicated.

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If you fear retaliation, speak with an employment lawyer before taking action.

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Class Action vs. Collective Action

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Wage cases may involve class actions, collective actions, or both, depending on the law.

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For example, some federal wage claims use a collective action process where workers may need to opt in.

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The exact procedure depends on the claim and jurisdiction.

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What Can Workers Recover?

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Employment settlements may include:

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Unpaid wages
rnOvertime pay
rnPenalties
rnInterest
rnPolicy changes
rnAttorney fees
rnInjunctive relief
rnRecordkeeping improvements

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The amount depends on the case, law, number of workers, and damages.

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What Employers Usually Argue

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Employers may argue:

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Workers were properly paid
rnEmployees were exempt
rnTime records are accurate
rnClaims are too individualized
rnClass treatment is improper
rnPolicies were lawful
rnDamages are overstated

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Employment class actions can be strongly contested.

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When to Contact an Employment Class Action Lawyer

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You may want legal help if:

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Many workers have the same pay problem
rnOvertime was denied
rnEmployees worked off the clock
rnBreaks were missed due to company policy
rnWorkers were wrongly treated as contractors
rnPay stubs do not match hours worked
rnA company-wide policy seems unfair or illegal

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Final Thoughts

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Employment class action lawsuits can help workers challenge widespread workplace violations.

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If your employer’s pay or workplace policy affected many employees the same way, legal options may exist.

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Save records, avoid guessing, and speak with a qualified employment attorney.

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