NRTV salary dispute: Auction fees ‘eat’ into proceeds as workers chase unpaid wages

By Tichaona Katsvamutima

Workers at Nkululeko Rusununguko Television (NRTV), who have already received payment for two months of outstanding salaries following a court-ordered auction of the broadcaster’s assets, are facing further uncertainty over the recovery of their remaining wages as financial records reveal that auction and enforcement fees reduced the proceeds available for settlement.

Documents seen by National Interest News show that KM Auctions and the Sheriff of the High Court each charged a five percent commission on the US$53,647 raised through the auction, bringing their combined commissions to US$5,364.70.

After additional enforcement expenses and adjustments, US$45,901.65 was transferred to the workers’ legal representatives, with 71 employees continuing to pursue seven months of unpaid salaries from an original claim of US$278,479.88.

KM Auctions conducted the sale of attached NRTV property on August 26, 2026, under High Court case number HCH1957/26, disposing of vehicles, broadcasting equipment, computers, office furniture and other movable assets.

According to the auctioneer’s financial statement, KM Auctions deducted US$5,393.35 from the proceeds, comprising US$2,682.35 in commission, US$2,420 in storage charges and US$291 in advertising expenses, before remitting US$48,253.65 to the Sheriff.

The Sheriff’s subsequent reconciliation recorded a separate US$2,682.35 commission, alongside US$560 in cartage charges payable to KM Auctions, US$110 for locksmith services and US$44 in Sheriff-related costs.

These additional charges totalled US$3,396.35, although the reconciliation also credited US$1,044 previously received in connection with the removal of attached property.

After accounting for the deductions and credit, the Sheriff transferred US$45,901.65 to Ngwerume Attorneys at Law on September 11, 2026, under reference SH3487/26.

The difference between the gross auction proceeds and the amount transferred to the workers’ lawyers stood at US$7,745.35, representing approximately 14.4 percent of the money raised.

Both commission charges were calculated against the actual auction proceeds rather than the appraised value of the assets.

The financial statements record the commissions separately, reflecting charges by the auctioneer and the court enforcement authority. The documents reviewed do not establish whether the two fees were inconsistent with the applicable enforcement tariff.

The records further show that KM Auctions was allocated US$5,953.35 in commission and associated expenses, including the additional US$560 cartage payment.

A separate receipt issued by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on July 29, 2026, records an upfront cash payment of US$1,044 for the removal of attached goods.

The receipt, bearing serial number 2622104, references High Court case HCH1957/26 and Sheriff file SH3487/26.

Signed execution-cost documents identify US$560 in removal expenses, US$110 for locksmith services and US$44 in Sheriff fees, totalling US$714.

The remaining US$330 is not separately itemised in those execution-cost entries. However, the Sheriff’s financial reconciliation records the full US$1,044 as a credit when calculating the amount ultimately transferred to the workers’ lawyers.

The available documents therefore establish how the upfront payment was treated in the overall reconciliation, although they do not provide a complete breakdown of the expenses associated with it.

Workers’ committee leader Walter Duri expressed concern over the deductions, arguing that employees who had already endured months without salaries should not be further disadvantaged by the costs of enforcing a court judgment.

He maintained that legal costs awarded by the High Court should be borne by NRTV as the judgment debtor rather than the workers pursuing their outstanding wages.

Court-awarded legal costs and expenses incurred during enforcement may, however, be governed by different procedures, and the financial records alone do not determine how those costs should ultimately be allocated.

The US$45,901.65 transferred to the workers’ lawyers represented approximately 16.5 percent of the original salary claim, leaving a difference of US$232,578.23 before accounting for any subsequent payments, enforcement costs or adjustments.

Despite receiving two months of salary arrears, the workers continue pursuing the remaining seven months, with the recovery process dependent on the availability and attachment of further assets.

Meanwhile, a Toyota Fortuner remains unrecovered, with an execution report stating that the vehicle had not been apprehended or secured by the High Court Sheriff when the report was prepared.

“The Toyota Fortuner vehicle has not yet been apprehended or secured by the High Court Sheriff,” the report states.

When previously approached about the Toyota Fortuner, NRTV Production and Programmes Executive Tendai “Sokostina” Garwe referred the matter to ongoing High Court proceedings.

“The issue you are asking me about the missing Fortuner, it’s before the court of law. It’s actually the High Court,” Garwe said.

Duri believes the Fortuner’s eventual recovery and sale could potentially cover another month or two of outstanding salaries, although its market value has not been independently established.

Any proceeds from the vehicle’s sale would depend on its recovery, ownership status, condition and eventual auction value.