Zimbabwe Labour Market Intelligence
An employer can no longer end a contract on notice for any reason
Termination. Amending section 12 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]
Prepared 20 October 2026
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An employer can no longer end a contract on notice for any reason
Termination. Amending section 12 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]
In plain words
Since the 2023 amendment an employer may only terminate on notice where the employee has broken an express or implied term of the contract, and the employer must follow a disciplinary procedure first.
This narrows the position that followed the Zuva Petroleum judgment and the 2015 amendment. The employer must be able to point to the term of the contract that was breached and must show that a fair disciplinary process was followed before the notice was given. Termination by mutual agreement and termination at the end of a fixed term contract are governed separately.
Applies to: Employers terminating a contract on notice
Chishona
Mushandirwi haachagoni kudzinga mushandi nekungopa zivisa chete. Anofanira kuratidza mutemo wechibvumirano wakaputswa uye aite maitiro echirango asati adzinga.
IsiNdebele
Umqhatshi angeke esaxotsha isisebenzi ngokunika isaziso nje kuphela. Kumele akhombise umthetho wesivumelwano owephulwe njalo alandele inqubo yesijeziso.
Where this comes from and when it applies
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Labour Amendment Act, 2023 (Act No. 11 of 2023) |
| Kind | Amendment Act |
| Chapter | 28:01 |
| Provision | Amending section 12 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] |
| In force from | 2023-07-14 |
| In force to | Still in force |
| Recorded on this platform | 2026-08-20 |
| Supersedes | — |
| Official source | https://www.law.co.zw/the-labour-amendment-act-of-2023-a-summary/ |
| Review status | Outstanding |
As at 20 Oct 2026, 08:19. Method version 2026.07.1.