Mkolongo referred to other courts
Ex-Silver Strikers coach Thom Mkolongo on Monday lost his bid to have Lilongwe Industrial Relations Court hear his ‘unfair’ dismissal case after assistant registrar Brian Chidampamba Katimba referred the matter to either the Magistrate’s Court or the High Court.
“I dismiss the matter for want of jurisdiction by this court with liberty to the applicant to lodge a complaint to another civil court,†Katimba said in his judjement.
Mkolongo, who had no legal representative, appeared before the court on Monday. Silver were represented by Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda.
“The judge ruled that I signed an independent contract with Silver; hence, the matter cannot be heard at the Industrial Relations Court. This marks the end of my pursuit for justice. I will just concentrate on my work [as a teacher],†said Mkolongo, implying that he does not want to pursue the matter further.
Silver fired Mkolongo for Frank ‘Franco’ Ndawa at a time when the Bankers finished at the TNM Super League first round summit; hence, Mkolongo’s claim of unfair dismissal.
Nyirenda confirmed the industrial court’s ruling. The legal battle started last month with the court adjourning the determination of the case after Silver challenged against having the matter heard there.
Of late, coaches Alex Masanjala, Ndawa, Charles Manda, McDonald Mtetemera and Aubrey Nankhuni have lost their jobs.
