Former Highlanders FC assistant coach Agent Sawu has instructed his lawyers to demand $6,000 in outstanding signing-on fees and his full monthly salary for the entirety of 2026 following his dismissal. Sawu contests the termination as unlawful, asserting that the club failed to conduct any formal performance reviews or disciplinary hearings regarding alleged failures to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
What are the specific demands made by Agent Sawu?
The veteran footballer, represented by Victor Kucherera of Wallace Law Chambers, has issued a letter of demand challenging the legality of his contract termination. According to the legal correspondence, Sawu is seeking immediate payment of several outstanding amounts.
The core of the demand includes US$6,000 in unpaid signing-on fees that were reportedly part of his initial agreement when joining the club in 2025. Additionally, Sawu is claiming his full monthly salary for the year 2026. His legal team argues that because the fixed-term contract was scheduled to run until December 31, 2026, and was terminated without mutual consent or due process, the club is liable for the remainder of the contract’s value. He is also claiming unpaid winning bonuses.
On what grounds is Highlanders FC terminating the contract?
Sources within the Highlanders hierarchy suggest that the decision to part ways with the assistant coach was driven by performance metrics. The club reportedly cited “alleged non-compliance with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)” as the primary reason for the termination.
However, the dismissal appears to have been executed without the standard procedural steps required by labour laws. The club claims the right to terminate based on these performance issues, yet Sawu’s legal team insists that the contract does not grant either party an “unfettered right to unilaterally terminate the agreement before its expiry,” except in specific circumstances which they argue have not been met.
Why is this termination considered controversial?
The controversy stems from the alleged lack of due process afforded to Sawu before his dismissal. In the letter of demand, Kucherera notes that his client was “never subjected to any formal performance review process, disciplinary inquiry, or hearing.”
Furthermore, the lawyers state that Sawu was not furnished with any written warnings, adverse performance reports, or remedial action plans. He was also allegedly denied the opportunity to make representations regarding the “alleged failure to meet targets.” This absence of a paper trail or disciplinary hearing exposes Highlanders FC to significant legal risk, as Zimbabwe’s labour laws are strict regarding the procedures for dismissal based on performance. If the club cannot prove that they followed these steps, the termination is likely to be ruled unfair.
Sequence of Events
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2025: Agent Sawu joins Highlanders FC as an assistant coach. The agreement includes a US$3,000 signing-on fee (implied per year or tranche) and a fixed term ending in 2026.
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Late 2025 / Early 2026: Highlanders FC moves to terminate Sawu’s contract, citing failure to meet KPIs.
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January 2026: Sawu’s legal team, Wallace Law Chambers, serves a letter of demand to Highlanders FC, disputing the termination and demanding full payment for the remainder of the contract term (2026) plus outstanding fees.
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Current Status: Victor Kucherera confirms representation of Sawu. Highlanders FC has yet to issue a formal public response to the specific legal threats.
