Mnkandla suffers setback as Labour Court deferres hearing

Raymond Jaravaza

THE legal wrangle between Highlanders and its suspended staffer – Sihlalisiwe Mnkandla – was postponed to a later date at the Bulawayo Labour Court last Monday. 

The long-serving finance officer was suspended by the club in November last year. 

She was accused by the then Johnfat Sibanda led executive of alleged insubordination and suspected fraud. 

Mnkandla, through her lawyers Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners, late January threatened legal action against the Bulawayo giants and demanded to be re-instated.

“Speak to the Highlanders spokesperson, I have been instructed by my lawyers not to comment on the case,” she told B-Metro Sport yesterday.

Nozibelo Maphosa, the club spokesperson, said Highlanders are yet to get an update on the case. 

In January, Mnkandla’s , said they had been instructed by their client to demand her reinstatement, failure to which legal action would be taken against the club. 

“We have been retained by Mrs Mnkandla to act on her behalf. Please note our interest. 

“We are instructed by our client that she is employed by Highlanders Football Club in the position of Finance Officer. 

“It is our further instructions that on 28 November 2023, the employer suspended our client without pay and benefits, in terms of SI 15/ 2006 alleging certain acts of misconduct against her.

“In terms of the law, the suspension period cannot be more than 14 working days. The employer is in breach of its contract of employment, in that the employee has been on suspension for a period of almost two months.

“Our client’s instructions are that she wishes to hold the employer to the contract of employment. 

“We have consequently been instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that the suspension be lifted and that our client’s pay and benefits be paid to her. 

“In the event that the suspension is not lifted and she is not paid her salary and benefits within 14 days of the letter, we will proceed to institute legal proceedings against the employer for appropriate relief. We hope that this will not be necessary and that you will honour our client’s contract of employment,” wrote the lawyers.  

The 14 days lapsed without Mnkandla being reinstated and the matter went to court on 25 February 2024.