Africa-Press – Malawi. Some former Mighty Mukuru Wanderers players have dragged the club to the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) for breach of contract. The players are Lucky Malata, Ted Sumani, Lloyd Mugala, Simeon Singa, Mike Kaziputa, Pilirani Mapila, Aubrey Maloya, Hankey Machira and Riaz Juoma.
The players claim that the club owes them signing-on-fees and game bonuses dating back to four seasons ago. Details, which Times Sport has seen, indicate that the players first lodged the complaint with Football Association of Malawi (Fam) seeking assistance.
However, the players were called for mediation but failed to conclude the matter in December last year. The players have engaged lawyer Mwayi Msungama to handle the matter.
Msungama confirmed the development. “We summoned Wanderers on the matter and we are just waiting for their response,” Msungama said. However, Msungama could not disclose how much in total the players are demanding from the club as he had left the file at his office.
In separate interviews, both Malata and Singa said they have failed to get their money despite making several attempts. According to Malata, the club owes him about K1.5 million in signing-on-fees.
“We have exhausted all channels. We did everything for the club but we do not deserve such treatment,” Malata, who moved to Wanderers from Silver Strikers in 2016, said. On his part, Singa said the club owes him K2.3 million in signing-on-fees.
“The total amount was not paid at all. We agreed it would be paid in two instalments. At first in 2019, I was supposed to get K1. 3 million, with the remaining amount to be paid at the end of the second round,” Singa said.
During mediation at Fam, Wanderers agreed to pay Singa upon checking in their books. However, Chairperson for Commercialisation Clement Stambuli said he could not comment on a matter which is in court.
Football Players Association (FPA) Chairperson Jimmy Zakazaka said players from various clubs lodged complaints. “I remember that I handled the issue about Lucky Malata and advised him on what to do,” he said.
In January this year, two former Wanderers defenders Bongani Kaipa and Francis Mulimbika dragged the club to the Industrial Relations Court seeking compensation for unlawful termination of their contracts. The two players are demanding K44.2 million, with Mulimbika asking for K20.9 million whereas Kaipa wants K23.3 million.
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