The High Court in Mzuzu has ordered Malawi National Council of Sports to pay Elvis Kafoteka K250 000 (US$556) in respect of medical fees at Wezi Medical Centre.
Kafoteka is expected to have metal bars inserted in his arm removed at the Mzuzu medical facility.
The wrangle over this medical bill has been on and off the court until recently when council intervened by assuring Kafoteka that it will meet the medical fee on condition that the player should no longer involve the court on the issue.
Kafoteka collected his cheque on January 20 from Sports Council, but when he went to Wezzie Medical Centre three days later, it was a different story. He was told that the hospital had received communication from council advising them not to assist him as the cheque would not be honoured.
Through his lawyer, Kafoteka returned to court where council was ordered to pay the medical fee.
The ruling indicated that council should pay Wezi Medical Centre within seven days for the player to be assisted pending court hearing expected in 14 days.
“Upon hearing counsel for the applicant and upon reading the affidavit of Elvis Kafoteka and all the documents supporting the application, it is ordered as follows: The respondent should immediately proceed to pay the applicant’s medical practitioner as it earlier planned and further that an order of injunction is hereby granted, restraining the respondent, its agent, servants and whosoever from withholding money that will cover medical bills for the injury the applicant sustained when playing for Malawi National Team in a game against Ivory Coast on December 17 2010 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hearing of the interpartes summons will, therefore, be held within 14 days from the date hereof,” reads the ruling by Justice Dingiswayo Madise.
Council executive secretary George Jana refused to comment on the issue, saying he will only do so after meeting the player.
Jana, however, said he was yet to receive the court’s stay order.
On his part, the former Flames defender said it is worrisome that FAM is failing to recognise his contribution to the national team.
