BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The High Court Judge Jack N’riva in Blantyre has ordered Press Corporation Limited (PCL) to pay three former executives 75 percent of the MK14.1 billion compensation awarded by the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) for unfair dismissal.
The former executives, George Partridge, Elizabeth Mafeni, and Bernard Ndau, were awarded the compensation after PCL was found guilty of unfairly dismissing them from their positions in 2021.
According to the ruling, PCL is required to pay K10.5 billion, which represents 75 percent of the total compensation awarded by the IRC.
The three former executives held key positions at PCL, with Partridge serving as Chief Executive Officer, Mafeni as Group Financial Controller, and Ndau as Company Secretary.
The trio’s dismissal followed a restructuring exercise undertaken by the conglomerate.
The IRC had initially awarded the former executives MK14.1 billion in compensation but granted a stay of the ruling pending appeal on condition that PCL pays 70 percent of the awarded amount.
However, PCL contested this condition, arguing that the stay should be granted without requiring partial payment. Judge N’riva’s ruling not only upheld the requirement for partial payment but also increased the percentage from 70 percent to 75 percent.
The case has been closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the parties involved and the significant amount of compensation at stake.
The ruling is seen as a major victory for the former executives, who have been fighting for their rights in court.
Lawyer John Suzi Banda, representing the claimants, confirmed the ruling and expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.
The outcome of this case may have implications for similar disputes in the future, particularly regarding the payment of compensation in cases of unfair dismissal.
PCL’s decision to appeal the IRC’s ruling and the subsequent high court judgment will be closely monitored by stakeholders.
For now, the former executives can expect to receive MK10.5 billion, a significant portion of the compensation awarded to them.
