The Industrial Relations Court (IRC) in Mzuzu has temporarily suspended contempt proceedings against three Salima Sugar Company Limited (SSCL) executives accused of defying court orders.
In its ruling, the court also put aside implementation of an earlier ruling that challenged the legality of the company’s leadership structure.
Osman Kapida, an employee fired from the company, had sought jail terms for SSCL executive chairperson and chief executive officer Wester Kosamu, company secretary Charles Thupi and acting chief finance officer Jimmy Kanyangala for allegedly ignoring court instructions.
But in a ruling dated April 22 2025, IRC deputy chairperson Anthony Kapaswiche also barred Kapida from entering SSCL premises.
He said: “It is hereby ordered and directed that the applicant desist from entering into the premises of the respondent; and making any other utterances regarding this case; until the delivery of rulings on the aforementioned processes, or until any further order of this court.”
In an interview yesterday, one of the lawyers for SSCL, Chrispine Ndalama, said the Attorney General (AG) has been added as an interested party and that the court has directed that all case documents should be shared with the AG’s office.
Kapida’s lawyer, Leonard Mbulo, did not respond to our questionnaire on the applicants reaction to the ruling.
Kapida was fired in 2024 over allegations of negligence, incompetence and serious misconduct.
The court ruled in his favour on April 1 2025, declaring his dismissal unlawful due to the absence of a legally constituted board at SSCL or its parent company, Green Belt Authority.
The court halted his dismissal pending a final decision on the substantive action.
