Chiefs face Chinyemba in labour dispute
FRANCISTOWN: Former Mochudi Centre Chiefs coach, Elias Chinyemba has said he dragged the troubled side to the District Labour Office as the club did not commit to a payment plan to clear his salary arrears. Chinyemba and Chiefs will meet at the labour office in Gaborone on March 24, 2021. Chinyemba said he is owed money for his initial contract as well as for the period after the renewal of his stay last November.
“I did meet the club officials and they acknowledged that they owe me. They, however, did not want to put it in writing in terms of how they will pay me my outstanding salary. Because of that, I was left with no option but to approach the district labour office,” the former TAFIC coach said.
“I did not mind being sacked. It is part of football. What I am demanding is the money I am owed by the club,” he added.
Chinyemba was released by the club two weeks ago. He spent almost two years at Chiefs. Chinyemba also rubbished reports that he does not have suitable qualifications to coach at a higher level in the country. Chinyemba was loaned to Chiefs by TAFIC.
“I am eligible to coach in the First Division,” he said.
Chiefs vice-chairperson, Olebile Sikwane conceded that the clubs
owe Chinyemba.
“We owe him. We gave him the first payment plan and he refused it. We are disappointed that he approached the labour office when we were about to approach him with our second payment plan.
“We are open to engaging him with a view of agreeing on a payment plan he is amenable to. He is a great coach and he served the club very well.
We are committed to resolving our differences with him in an amicable manner. However, if he insists on going to the labour office, we will go there and defend ourselves.” In
a statement early this week, the club had said Chinyemba did not meet the BFA’s strict compliance requirements, which is why he was released from his contract. Chinyemba is not the first coach to demand salary payment from Magosi.
In December 2020, the world soccer governing body, FIFA ordered Magosi to clear a P116, 665 debt owed to former coach, Philani Mabhena.
The club paid the amount this year. Mabhena had dragged Chiefs to FIFA after the club showed little commitment towards paying him outstanding wages.