The unfair dismissal dispute between gaffer Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul and former employers Notwane is far from over despite a compensation ordered for the procedurally unfair dismissal.
Paul is allegedly contemplating an appeal for his court outcome. Following settlement by the industrial court that ordered a compensation for 4 months of severance benefits, leave days and bonus for the wins at the time of the dismissal, it is said that Paul is not pleased with the outcome.
From the court order, the no nonsense gaffer is set to walk away with P33 968.14 after being sacked in just under four months of his two-year contract in 2018. However, with the matter allegedly heading for the Court of Appeal, news reaching Sunday Standard indicates that Paul is considering taking the matter to FIFA if unsatisfied with local authorities.
‘’Paul is seemingly disappointed with the outcome of his case and has not taken the matter lightly. He had expected to get reasonable compensation matching his monthly salary. As it stands he is exploring all options locally and is set to take the matter to FIFA,’’ a close source to the matter told Sunday Standard.
Challenging his unfair dismissal against the club, Paul demanded P400 000 from the BTC premiership outfit. The pintsized former Zebras attacker entered into a contract of employment with Notwane on the 4th of December 2017 as the club’s Technical Director (TD). The contract was for a fixed period of 6 months with the remuneration of P10 000. At this point in time Notwane was playing in the Debswana First Division South League (DFDSL).
Following Notwane’s promotion to the elite league, a two-year matrimony was signed on the 27th of July 2018 with a lucrative salary of P15 500.00. Meanwhile, it is admitted by both parties that from the month of August until November, Notwane at no point paid Paul his full salary. In fact, bonuses, based on the team’s performance, were also withheld without notification to the gaffer by the club.
In a twist of events, during the first week of November 2018, Paul was given a pay cut ultimatum to get of P6 500.00 or his contract will be terminated. With displeasure over how the matter turned out, Notwane terminated Paul’s contract raising issues of financial difficulties.
Paul’s representative Ludo Shubani of Tombai Attorneys said their client is not satisfied with the total amount and they are still discussing their next move. ‘’We cannot divulge anything much as we are still yet to discuss the matter with our client. If it means taking the matter further we will then explore other options,’’ said Shubani.
