Govt spends K40m on fired Flames coaches
Malawi government will spend K40 million on former Malawi national football team coach Ernest Mtawali and his assistant Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan in salaries, allowances and gratuity, it has been learnt.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) decided against extending the duo’s contracts that expired on July 31 citing poor performance after the Flames’ failed campaign in 2018 World Cup qualifying group stages, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and Cosafa Cup.
Ministry of Sports and Culture spokesperson Christopher Mbukwa said that Mtawali and Ramadhan were employed in Grade C where Principal Secretaries (PS) belong.
“The two were on temporary contracts in Grade C. This is a senior position in government scale. They were at par with the Principal Secretaries or Chief Directors,” he said.
However, Mbukwa refused to disclose the benefits and salaries which the coaches were entitled to saying: “Despite the fact that they held public offices, it is not proper to disclose those details.”
However, our findings have shown that the PSs get a monthly package of K1.5 million comprising a salary of K1 million, fuel allowance of K367 000 and airtime allowance of K35 000.
Based on these figures Mtawali and Ramadhan each pocketed around K18 million in the past 12 months which amounts to K36 million but with the pair expected to be paid a gratuity of over K1 million each, their total pay would be around K40 million.
Said Mbukwa on the gratuity package: “The coaches will be given 15 percent of their gross salary annual earnings as their gratuity payable after the contract expires.”
Meanwhile, FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said he could not confirm the financial details regarding the fired coaches’ contract, saying that government was better placed.
“I do not want to divulge details regarding the salaries because that was the agreement between the coaches and government. What I can confirm is that they were in Grade C,” he said.
Nyirenda also said he was in the dark over the salary arrangements of the next coach ,stating that the executive committee, which is scheduled to meet tomorrow, will decide.
“Whether we will negotiate for Grade C again or there will be a different arrangement such as a performance-based contract ,it is the executive committee that will decide,” he said.
Mtawali yesterday refused to take questions on the matter.
“As to when we will get our gratuity pay, ask the ministry. On the other things, I don’t want to say anything,” he said. n
