Zifa take coach dispute to Supreme Court

Raymond Jaravaza

ZIFA has taken its case against ex-Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck  Mlauzi to the Supreme Court challenging a ruling by a lower court granting the gaffer $187 290 in compensation.

Last year, the Labour Court ruled that Zifa owed Mlauzi $187 290 in unpaid salaries for the entire period of employment, camping fees, foreign matches allowances and qualification bonuses for major tournaments.

The football association had argued that an employment contract between itself and Mlauzi did not exist thus the former Mighty Warriors coach was not entitled to any employee benefits.

Justice Mercy Moya-Matshanga ruled that Zifa owed Mlauzi.

“It is clear that the 2nd respondent (Mlauzi) did not perform his own tasks at his own terms for instance, he was told when to go to camp, which camp, the time to arrive at camp. He was under strict instruction of the 1st respondent (Zifa). He was told the duration of the camping and what he was supposed to bring to camp.

“It is clear that Zifa exercised control over the 2nd respondent and he was at Zifa’s beck and call and was therefore an employee,” read part of the ruling made on 26 October 2018 (Judgement number LC/MT/164 /18).

But Zifa has now upped the ante by challenging the Labour Court ruling at the Supreme Court.

Mlauzi told B-Metro Sport that his former paymasters appeared not ready to throw in the towel by dragging the case further.

“It’s sad that Zifa chose not to do the right thing by respecting the Labour Court ruling but instead have decided to file an appeal against the judgment at the Supreme Court.

“I have also instructed my new lawyer Vezokuhle Ndlovu to file our own papers and we will await the final verdict by the Supreme Court. I just want the whole thing to get over and done with so I can move to the next stage of my football career,” said Mlauzi.

Mlauzi was previously represented by Prince Butshe Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers.

Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela referred this publication to their lawyer, Itai Ndudzo, whose number was unreachable.

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