MBABANE – Did MTN Premier League giants Mbabane Highlanders have a mutual agreement to terminate the contracts of their two coaches?
This comes after sources allegedly revealed that the duo of former Head Coach Ernest Mavuso and his assistant Sifiso ‘Barnes’ Mkhulisi have reported the club to the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) for unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
CMAC is an independent, statutory labour disputes resolution body that functions as an industrial relations tribunal or an employment relations commission. Instead of going straight to the industrial courts, employees (including football coaches and players) and employers take their disputes to CMAC to resolve contractual disagreements, unfair dismissal claims and unpaid dues through mediation or arbitration.
The source alleged that the coaches resorted to reporting the black and white capital city giants to the commission after the club allegedly failed to pay their salaries and terminated their contracts before they expired.
“The coaches tried to engage the management of the team, but did not get any assistance and they then decided to take the matter to CMAC,” the source said.
It is alleged that Mavuso, who left Mbabane Highlanders about two months ago, had signed a three-year contract with Inkunzi’emnyama, which was terminated by the club six months into the deal, while Mkhulisi, a legend and former Captain of the team, had signed a one-year contract.
“Mavuso is owed for six months as two were fully paid, while he got half his salary in other months,” the source alleged.
The source further alleged that after the coaches reported the matter to CMAC, the commission gave Highlanders seven days to respond, but they only managed to respond on the eleventh day.
“The coaches will now take the club’s responses to CMAC for a date when the matter will be heard,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Coach Mavuso confirmed the matter, but did not want to go into details, stating that it was now before the commission.
“I can’t comment on the matter for now,” the former Green Mamba gaffer said.
On the other hand, Mkhulisi said it is true that he has reported the club to CMAC and will only be able to comment once it has been heard.
Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Thabiso ‘Touch’ Manyatsi declined to comment, stating that the matter is sub judice.
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Former Mbabane Highlanders Coach Ernest Mavuso walks out of the tunnel followed by Sifiso 'Barnes' Mkhulisi. The duo are alleged to have taken the team to CMAC.