Former Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) director general Charles Nsaliwa has lost his appeal against a court decision that awarded him K16million in compensation for unfair dismissal.
A seven-member Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal panel comprising Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa and Justices of Appeal (JAs) Frank Kapanda, Healey Potani, John Katsala, Charles Mkandawire, Dingiswayo Madise and Dorothy NyaKaunda Kamanga said in its ruling that the amount awarded to Nsaliwa was just and equitable under the circumstances.
In an order dated October 14 2026, the court said Nsaliwa was entitled to compensation only for his second employment contract, which was constructively terminated and that he continued enjoying employment benefits until the contract expired.
The court also ruled that Nsaliwa had already received his severance allowance in full and compensation for unfair dismissal in accordance with the Employment Act.
“Having heard the parties and having considered all the documents and issues raised in this appeal, we find that there is no merit in this appeal,” reads the order.
On Nsaliwa’s claim relating to a motor vehicle, the court said he did not meet the contractual requirements to purchase the vehicle when his contract expired.
The appeal followed a long-running dispute over compensation for Nsaliwa’s constructive dismissal from Macra in 2014.
On August 11 2020, the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) assessed the compensation at K569 952 818.
But Macra obtained an order setting aside the execution of the decision.
In the fresh assessment, the IRC settled on K16 032 570.48 as compensation for unfair dismissal, substantially reducing the earlier award.
The court found that some of the benefits Nsaliwa included in his claim did not constitute actual losses because Macra continued providing them after his constructive dismissal.
