By Burnett Munthali
The Industrial Relations Court (IRC) in Blantyre has ruled in favor of former Flames coach Meck Mwase, ordering the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to compensate him K440 million for unlawful termination of his contract, redeployment, and constructive dismissal.
The ruling, delivered by IRC deputy chairperson Edna Bodole, establishes that Mwase is entitled to the sum as compensation for the entire 36-month duration of his contract. The court aligned Mwase’s compensation with the salary scale of expatriate coaches who held the same position, including his predecessor Belgian Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG) and successor Romanian Mario Marinica.
While Mwase’s claim included several additional benefits, the court excluded items such as motor vehicle allowance, insurance coverage, annual gold card membership, and life insurance from the compensation package. Bodole noted that these benefits were not sufficiently substantiated as part of the contractual obligations owed to Mwase.
Mwase and his lawyer, David Kanyenda, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, even though the compensation was less than their expected claim of K518 million.
“Although the amount is lower than what we anticipated, we are content with the outcome. Justice has prevailed, and this decision is a step forward in protecting the rights of professionals in football,” Kanyenda said.
Mwase, who served as head coach for the Flames before his controversial dismissal, added, “I’m happy that the court has recognized the injustice I faced. This is a victory not just for me but for all local coaches who deserve fair treatment and respect.”
Speaking on behalf of FAM, lawyer Luciano Mickeus stated that the association would review the court’s decision and decide whether to appeal.
“We respect the ruling of the court, but we will sit down as an organization to analyze the judgment and determine our next steps, including the possibility of an appeal,” Mickeus said.
Mwase was dismissed from his role under controversial circumstances, with FAM opting to appoint Romanian expatriate Mario Marinica as his successor. Mwase later alleged that his termination was unlawful and that his redeployment to a lesser role within the association constituted constructive dismissal.
The case raised critical issues about the treatment of local coaches and the preference for expatriate personnel in Malawian football. Mwase argued that his dismissal undermined local talent and sent a discouraging message to aspiring coaches in the country.
The K440 million payout marks a significant financial burden for FAM, which is already grappling with funding constraints. It also sets a precedent for future contractual disputes involving football coaches and highlights the need for clearer employment policies within the association.
Moreover, the ruling has reignited debates over the treatment of local coaches compared to their expatriate counterparts. Many stakeholders argue that Mwase’s case underscores the importance of valuing and nurturing homegrown talent in Malawian football.
As FAM deliberates on whether to appeal the judgment, the case continues to serve as a reminder of the need for fair and transparent labor practices within sports administration.
