Johannesburg – Despite the Labour Court dismissing former Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba’s desperate attempt to stop Safa, his former employers, from hiring his replacement at the end of this month, the 66-year-old’s legal representative said they were delighted that Tuesday’s ruling had no bearing on the arbitration case set for March 7, 8 and 9.
Mashaba was sacked as the national team coach in December for gross misconduct, insubordination and violating the Safa communication policy, but he maintains he was unfairly dismissed.
The two parties could not agree on a settlement on February 7, with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration referring the matter to arbitration, where Mashaba’s fate will be sealed once and for all, putting an end to the drawn out saga.
“We are happy that we are still going ahead with the arbitration next month. What the Labour Court ruling meant was simply that Safa can go ahead and hire a new coach,” said Claudio Bollo, who is Mashaba’s lawyer. “But if the arbitrator rules in our favour next month then Safa will then have to deal with having two coaches because Mr Mashaba will have to be reinstated. We are happy with where we are at the moment.”
Safa will announce a new coach early next week.