De Jongh sues Silver

Immediate-past Silver Strikers coach Pieter de Jongh has sued the club for unlawful dismissal and is claiming K500 million as compensation.

The case was filed in the Industrial Relations Court on January 31 by the Dutch coach’s lawyers William Faulkner.

In an interview yesterday, the flamboyant coach confirmed suing his former employers, saying: “Apart from compensation, I also want them [Silver] to bear the costs of the case.

“We are now just waiting for the court to set the date.

“I keep on saying that performance-based contracts are always two-sided. There were so many things that I proposed, but were not fulfilled.”

De Jongh, who parted ways with the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit in January, also said he has notified world football governing body Fifa about his decision.

He said: “I insist that my working enviroment  at Silver was not conducive. Among others, they could not process my work permit which forced me to leave the country to avoid being arrested and deported.

“And out of the many players I proposed, they only brought one. Now, how is that possible? All these things affected my work.”

De Jongh said despite taking up his concerns with the board chairperson George Kaudza Masina and management “nothing was done”.

“Anyway, I have said enough, the rest will come out in court,.” he said.

But Silver chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba said he could not comment as they are yet to be served with the court documents.

Kaudza Masina also declined to comment.

De Jongh signed a two –year contract last year, but only served almost half before it was terminated.

He was given a target to win the TNM Super League and two cups, but Silver finished as runners-up in the league and Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup.