Zifa to contest Mhofu verdict

default judgment in the case in which former Warriors’ coach Sunday Chidzambwa is claiming his dues.
At the same time, Zifa lawyer Ralph Maganga revealed that they were seeking to rescind the judgment passed by Justice Lavender Makoni on Thursday last week.
Chidzambwa took Zifa to court in the labour dispute, claiming US$67 000 for the period he was employed as the national team coach. The High Court issued a default judgment in favour of Chidzambwa after Zifa failed to show up on Thursday.
Interestingly, Chidzambwa, who is now coaching South Africa Division One side Black Leopards, came from his base to attend the matter. Former Zifa board president Wellington Nyatanga also attended the hearing while Chidzambwa was represented by Godfrey Mamvura of Scalen and Holderness.
Zifa were only represented by Harare lawyer P. Mabundu who had been instructed by Maganga while acting chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze could not attend the hearing because of illness. Mashingaidze, who was admitted in hospital at the time of the hearing, was released at the weekend. But yesterday his condition grew worse and had to be taken to hospital for further medical assessments.
With Mamvura revealing that the Zifa House was one of their targets for attachment, Maganga and Mashingaidze were jolted into action.
“We are preparing to file an urgent application at the High Court. Right now I am busy preparing the affidavits with the acting chief executive Mashingaidze,” said Maganga yesterday.
Zifa, Maganga said, were going to file two applications over the matter.
“We are preparing to file an urgent application to stop the writ of execution. There is need to stop the attachment of the property Another application is to rescind the judgment so that we go for a trial,” said Maganga.
Justice Makoni granted a ruling in Chidzambwa’s favour in the Case Number HC4939/2010.
Part of the draft order of the judgement read, “Defendant, being in default, its defence be and is hereby struck out.
“The Defendant shall pay to the Plaintiff the sum of US$67 000, 00 being unpaid salaries for the period 1st November 2008 to 30th April 2010. The Defendant shall pay interests on the sum of US$67 000, 00 calculated at the prescribed rate from 21st July 2010, being the date of issue of summons to the full date of payment.”
Zifa were also ordered to pay the full cost of the legal suit.
Chidzambwa had been employed by the Nyatanga-led board as Warriors’ coach, taking over from Valinhos.
Valinhos, a Brazilian national, was relieved of his duties because of poor results but he also took his case to Fifa, demanding payment of his dues from Zifa.
Valinhos’ predecessor, Charles Mhlauri has also claimed that Zifa owe him and in Chidzambwa’s case, the association acknowledged that they owe the coach.
Zifa say they owe the coach US$13 000, but Chidzambwa disagreed and took the matter to court.