Coaches go three months unpaid
Government owes Flames coach Ernest Mtawali and his assistant Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan three months’ pay, The Nation has established.
According to a well-placed source, just like their predecessors—Young Chimodzi and Jack Chamangwana—Mtawali and Ramadhan are being subjected to delayed pay days.
Mtawali and Ramadhan, who are employed by government through the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), are reported to be owed salaries for the first three months of their contracts (August to October last year).
When contacted for comment yesterday, Mtawali was elusive on the matter.
“Achimwene [my brother], talk to FAM or government, they are better-placed to comment. Tazisiyeni zimenezo. [just ignore that],” said Mtawali.
However, while confirming the issue yesterday, spokesperson for the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Christopher Mbukwa, said the issue will be resolved soon.
“The payment of the arrears to the coaches is at an advanced stage. The requests to pay them were made and approved. They have since been submitted to the office of the Accountant General for payment.
“Actually, it is two months and not three because as for the other month, it was just a matter of under-payment. And the cause of the delay [to pay them at that time] was because contractual discussions were still on-going.
“As a ministry we are trying our best to have the issue sorted out. Mr. Mtawali made the request [for the arrears] in November and we can confidently say they will be paid soon, but we cannot state the exact date,” said Mbukwa.
