Jongwe wins Monoz case

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
FORMER Monomotapa coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe could be smiling all the way to the bank after the High Court ruled in his favour in a labour case in which he was seeking damages against the club. Justice Chinembiri Bhunu recently ruled that Jongwe should be paid US$36 220 in damages after he filed a complaint for unfair dismissal from employment.
The matter was first head before an arbitrator T.S Makamure who ruled in Jongwe’s favour before the coach’s lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Zuze Law Chambers approached Justice Bhunu’s chambers for finalisation.

The matter between Jongwe and Monomotapa came as case number HC 5107/13 and was heard in Bhunu’s chambers on July 25, 2013, where the judge ordered the Premiership club to pay the applicant his benefits as earlier ruled by Makamure.

“The Arbitral award dated 20th June 2013 by the Arbitrator Mrs T. S. Makamure in favour of the applicant be and is hereby registered as an order of this court.
“The respondent be and is hereby ordered to pay the applicant $36 220,” read part of the judgment.
Monomotapa, who were the respondents, were ordered to bear the costs of the hearing.

Jongwe’s lawyer, Mudimu, argued that his client had been unfairly dismissed from employment by the Monoz.
In his submissions, Jongwe stated that he was called by Monoz chairman Joseph Mukoki in July 2010 and told that the club was not happy with his performance.
Jongwe claimed that he had been employed by Monoz from January 1, 2010 and the contract was valid until December 2012.

“The contract was for three years. The contract specified that the club will pay the claimant US$3 000 at the beginning of each year and a basic salary of US$600 per month.

“The other terms of the contract are housing allowances, US$300 per month, transport allowance US$20 per week, and all medical expense incurred by the coach were to be met by the club,” read part of the arguments presented by Mudimu.

The contract stipulated that a three-month notice was required either way for the termination of employment.
In their defence Monomotapa had argued that Jongwe left the club on July 26 and two weeks later he joined league rivals CAPS United.
The club claimed that Jongwe left on his own accord because he did not see himself achieving the set objectives.

Monomotapa further said even if Jongwe was unfairly dismissed, this “was cured by him securing alternative employment with CAPS United Football Club in August.”