BFA appeals Taylor ruling
Chakalisa Dube | Saturday March 25, 2023 10:43
Last month the Industrial Court ruled that the association should pay Taylor P330,000 for unfair dismissal. The money was the equivalent of her six-month salary. The court found that Taylor’s dismissal from the association was both substantially and procedurally unfair.
The court had ordered that the association should pay Taylor before the end of March. Yesterday, Mfolo would not be drawn into discussing reports that the association has since decided to appeal the ruling. “I am constrained to discuss such matters for public consumption.
It is an issue that borders on the confidentiality of the employer and employee,” Mfolo said. He had previously told Mmegi Sport that the National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet and decide on the appeal. But sources said the association had indeed filed a notice to appeal the ruling last week. On her part, Taylor said that she is yet to be served with any documents suggesting that the association is appealing the initial outcome.
Taylor was dismissed by the BFA last year, just less than a year into her reign for ‘misappropriating' the association’s funds amounting to P8.8 million. She then decided to take the local soccer governing body to court citing unfair dismissal. The Industrial Court then ruled in her favour. The Industrial Court found that Taylor was being victimised as there was overspending at the association well before her appointment.
The court further averred that the association was not even aware of the exact amount Taylor overspent, something that weakened its case. The court also established that the association violated Clause 24.9.6 of its Conditions of Service handbook, which stipulates that a human resource manager or a representative should be present at every formal inquiry. At the time of the hearing, the association did not have a human resources manager. Also, no representative of the association was delegated to attend the case as an alternative.