Allegations of Wage Exploitation at Zambian Lawyer’s Security Firm

By Linda Soko Tembo,

Roman Security, a Lusaka-based firm owned by lawyer Waxon Shakalima, faces criticism after a 16-year-old boy with a chronic health condition was detained for three days at Garden Police Station. The boy had accompanied his uncle, a former employee of the company, to seek unpaid wages.

The alarming situation has exposed deeper concerns about the firm’s labour practices, as former workers accuse the business of prolonged wage delays, retaliatory actions, and poor working conditions. The case has raised serious questions about the firm’s treatment of its employees and its compliance with Zambia’s labour laws.

Henry Mwenya, a former operations manager at Roman Security, shared with MakanDay the retaliation he faced after demanding his unpaid wages. He said despite working for three months, he was dismissed in October after falling ill, and his attempt to recover his September salary took an unexpected turn involving law enforcement.

In November last year, desperate for his unpaid September salary, Mwenya visited his former workplace accompanied by his sick 16-year-old nephew, fearing he might collapse due to poor health. Unable to find the company owner, Mwenya, driven by hunger and financial pressure, took a laptop as leverage, planning to return it once paid.

That evening, his 16-year-old nephew was detained at Garden Police Station for three days, while his 18-year-old nephew, who had brought food for his detained sibling, was briefly held as well. Mwenya expressed frustration, questioning why he was not arrested instead, as he was the one responsible for the incident. Despite enduring this ordeal, Mwenya was paid only K500 of the salary he was owed.

He further disclosed that employees typically signed three-month probation contracts but often left before completing the period due to delayed or incomplete payments. Even those on one-year contracts, he added, frequently struggled to receive their salaries.

Shakalima defends actions amid allegations of juvenile detention

Shakalima denied any wrongdoing, saying he was unaware the juvenile had been detained for three days. He explained that the child was left at the police station because his uncle, who had stolen a laptop from the office, had abandoned him.

“Anyone who is lost, we take them to the police. The person who stole the laptop abandoned the child, and we had no choice but to leave him at the station,” Shiakalima said.

MakanDay sought clarification from Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga regarding the reasons for the juveniles’ detentions, but no response has been provided to date.

Testimonies from Current and Former Workers

Another former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that when he joined the company last year, it employed over 40 staff members. However, many left during his tenure due to frequent delays in salary payments, often postponed on a weekly basis, which also made it difficult to recruit new employees. He explained that once an employee leaves, they must fight to receive their owed wages.

Edward Banda, another former worker, shared that he was promised K1,000 per month but only received K500 for his first month. He claims the company owes him K1,500. Banda explained that he quit after being assaulted by six members of the management team when he confronted them about his unpaid wages.

“I came to Lusaka from Chipata in search of work, and when I joined Roman Security, I thought everything would be fine. But they failed to pay me as agreed. When I demanded my wages, they kept giving excuses. One day, the management team locked me in an office and beat me up. That’s when I decided to leave and return to Chipata,” Banda recalled.

A current employee, who also chose to remain anonymous, shared his ongoing struggles. He started working at the company in February last year and, despite signing a contract, has only been paid three times since then.

“The company doesn’t provide transport money, so I walk to and from work every day. They haven’t even given me a uniform. I stay because my wife advises me to wait until they pay me what I’m owed, but honestly, I want to leave,” he said.

The employee, married with three children, described the immense financial pressure he faces. “We survive only because my wife runs small businesses. Unfortunately, I’m five months behind on rent,” he said.

He added that the company owes him around K5,500, and he has no days off. “I don’t get any rest, and there has been no salary increment. When I started, they promised I’d earn K1,500 after three months, but nothing has changed,” he added.

Several ex-workers have also accused Roman Security, managed by Shakalima, of subjecting them to extended periods without pay despite their dedication and service.

Company records indicate that Shakalima and Diana Mutambo are the directors and shareholders of Roman Security Patrols and Investigations Limited, a company engaged in private security activities. They are also listed as the beneficial owners of the company registered on November 29, 2022.

However, Shiakalima has denied the allegations. “I do not have any workers who are not paid on time or have arrears,” he told MakanDay.

Non-Compliance with Statutory Obligations

MakanDay conducted an investigation to determine whether the company meets its statutory obligations, including those to the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), and the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA). Of the agencies contacted, only NHIMA and NAPSA responded, stating that they were not authorized to disclose whether the company was in compliance with its legal responsibilities.

Workers revealed that despite deductions for these obligations, the company has failed to make the required payments.

Workers union speak out

Zambia Congress for Trade Union (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala emphasized that under the law, employers are obligated to pay their workers on time, whether weekly or monthly, as agreed. He stated that failure to pay employees on time while continuing to employ them is an offence.

Mulala warned that lax enforcement of labour laws can normalise exploitation, and he stressed that workers rely on their wages to meet basic needs. He condemned such practices and called on workers facing exploitation to engage their union or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) for support.

“We should not relax the labour laws provisions because the abnormal way of doing things, like not paying salaries to employees, becomes the norm if such issues are not dealt with under the provision of the law.

Government Position

The controversy surrounding Roman Security firm raises significant questions about the exploitation of workers within Zambia’s security industry. Despite the firm’s claims of timely payments and legal compliance, testimonies from former and current employees paint a starkly different picture, revealing systemic wage issues, harsh working conditions, and alleged retaliatory practices.

Labour Commissioner Given Muntengwa explained to MakanDay that addressing issues within security companies is complex, making it challenging to find quick solutions. He pointed out that when the law does not adequately regulate the sector, it becomes difficult to effectively address these concerns.

Muntengwa noted that many security companies struggle with limited financial resources, making their operations precarious. He explained that security companies are not primarily profit-driven; instead, their business model involves recruiting personnel and outsourcing them to client companies. If the client fails to make payments, the security company defaults as well, creating a vicious cycle.

He emphasised the need for a clear legal framework to better manage the security sector. Establishing explicit terms and conditions in contracts between companies, in line with statutory regulations, could help address current challenges.

Muntengwa also referred to the Employment Code Act, which stipulates that the employer is responsible for the employee’s entitlements. He explained that if an employer breaches the law, the Labour Commissioner has the authority to impose penalties, including suspending business operations.