Some members of the immediate-past Malawi Queens technical panel have taken the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) to task for reneging on its commitment to pay them their dues by the end of last month following the termination of their contracts.
NAM dissolved the Joanna Kachilika-led panel last November. The panel also included former assistant coach Eleanour Mapulanga, team manager Juddith Chalusa and physical trainer Beatrice Mpinganjira, among others.
In separate interviews yesterday, Kachilika and Mapulanga confirmed that they are yet to be paid their dues three months after their removal.
Part of the letter from NAM to one of the ex-technical panel members, read: “I am writing to formally notify you of the termination of our contract dated 31st January 2024.
“According to the terms of our agreement, under clause 10 (a), this letter serves as 30 days’ notice and the contract will officially end on 18th December 2024.
“However, a decision has been made to release you from your contract immediately. Please note that 50 percent payment [of the funds you would have received during the period of notice] will be made to you at the end of the month of November 2024, with the balance paid at the end of January 2025.”
But Mapulanga said up to date, they have not been paid a penny.
“It is frustrating because this commitment was made by them and every time I make a follow up, they keep on saying they are waiting for Sports Council. I find this to be very unfair” she said.
“My patience has worn thin now and I am planning to seek legal action.”
On her part, Kachilika, who has already sought legal action against the association for unfair dismissal, said in her discussions with NAM president Vitumbiko Gubuduza, she demanded that she be paid her dues in full within seven days.
“But that did not happen. That aside, by the end of January, which NAM stated that they would have settled the dues, I had not been paid anything,” she said.
On the other hand, NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma admitted that they have not paid the ex-technical panel members their dues “because we are waiting for funding from Sports Council”.
Malawi National Council of Sports chief executive officer Henry Kamata in an interview on Monday said he was aware of the issue.
“I can confirm that the previous NAM technical team is yet to be paid because of funding challenges. We will resource NAM as soon as we have the funding,” he said.
After the removal of Kachilika, NAM hired Queens legends Mary Waya and Peace Chawinga-Kalua as co-coaches.
Two years ago, Chawinga-Kalua also sued NAM for unlawful dismissal, but she has since dropped the case.
