By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has been ordered to pay the former Flames coach, Meck Mwase MK440 million in compensation for unlawful termination of the contract, redeployment and constructive dismissal.
The Industrial Relations Court (IRC) in Blantyre, made the order on Thursday.
Passing her judgment, IRC deputy chairperson Edna Bodole said this is the required pay for Mwase’s remaining period of his contract in the same or similar wage scale as former Flames expatriate coaches, Mario Mariana Marinica and Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG), who were his successor and predecessor respectively.
According to the Nation Newspaper, Bodole however, removed motor vehicle allowance, insurance cover, annual gold card membership and life insurance from the list of possible benefits that Mwase deserved.
At the time of his dismissal in April 2022, Mwase was receiving at least K1.7million (about $1000) as his monthly salary while Marinica was getting $8,500 (about 14.7 million at the current exchange rate). RVG’s pay was at least $7500) about K12.9 million).
Mwase’s lawyer David Kanyenda, who was accompanied by the coach, said although the pay is less than their expected total of at least K518 million, they were happy with the outcome.
“It is good that local coaches should get such a fair justice from the courts when oppressed, considering that Mwase did well by qualifying the national team to the AFCON finals yet expatriates were getting good monies without bringing in the results”, said Kanyenda.
“This is a satisfactory outcome that heralds a positive trajectory towards attaining social justice in the football industry, particularly on the coaching landscape,” he added.
On his part FAM’s lawyer Luciano Mickeus, who was with the body’s general secretary Alfred Gunda at the court, said they will discuss on whether to make an appeal.
“We will discuss with our clients on how we should go about the matter”, he said.
Football Association of Malawi fired Mwase with a year left on his contract in April 2022 at it’s executive committee meeting in Mangochi, where they replaced him with Marinica, who was initially the technical director.
Later, FAM redeployed Mwase as under-23 national football team coach, but the coach turned down the offer and resorted to suing the local football governing body.
Mwase guided the Flames to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon being being ‘demoted’ to an assistant coach as Marinica took charge of the team.
Payback Time: Mwase Wins Flames Dismissal Case
By Twink Jones Gadama
The Industrial Relations Court (IRC) in Blantyre has dealt a significant blow to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), ordering the organization to pay former Flames coach Meck Mwase a staggering K440 million in compensation for unlawful termination of contract, redeployment, and constructive dismissal.
According to IRC deputy chairperson Edna Bodole, the compensation amount is equivalent to Mwase’s entire 36-month contract, which is on par with the salaries of former Flames expatriate coaches Romanian Mario Marinica and Belgian Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG), his successor and predecessor, respectively.
However, Bodole clarified that the compensation package does not include motor vehicle allowance, insurance cover, annual gold card membership, and life insurance, which were initially part of the benefits Mwase was entitled to.
Mwase’s lawyer, David Kanyenda, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, despite the compensation being lower than their expected total of at least K518 million. “We succeeded on equal pay because the court has found that Meck Mwase was discriminated against because he was placed on an inferior wage scale compared to the expatriate coaches,” Kanyenda said.
On the other hand, FAM’s lawyer, Luciano Mickeus, hinted that the organization may appeal the decision. “We will sit down to discuss whether to appeal the matter,” Mickeus said.
The case dates back to 2022 when Mwase was fired by FAM with a year left on his contract.
He was subsequently redeployed to coach the Malawi under-23 national football team, but he turned down the offer and decided to sue FAM instead.
Mwase’s dismissal was widely criticized, with many viewing it as unfair and unjust.
The former Flames coach had guided the team to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon before being ‘demoted’ to an assistant coach as Marinica took charge of the team.
The IRC’s decision is a significant victory for Mwase and a blow to FAM’s reputation.
It remains to be seen whether FAM will appeal the decision or accept the court’s ruling.
One thing is certain, however: Mwase’s perseverance and determination have finally paid off.
