By Benadetta Chiwanda Mia
The Supreme Court of Appeal has granted Press Corporation Plc (PCL) an interim stay of execution against an Industrial Relations Court (IRC) order mandating the company to pay former executives K14.1 billion for unfair dismissal.
The matter arises from an IRC judgement delivered on October 22, 2024 and an order on assessment dated April 25, 2025, in which the court awarded a total of K14.1 billion to three former executives, Benard Ndau, Elizabeth Mafeni and George Patridge, as compensation following their dismissal in 2021.
The IRC had previously instructed PCL to pay 70 percent of the total amount, but the conglomerate appealed the order, citing potential irreparable harm to the business.
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On August 11, High Court Judge Jack N’riva ruled against PCL, requiring the company to pay Ndau, Mafeni and Partridge 75 percent of the K14.1 billion.
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Shortly afterwards, PCL filed for a stay against the execution of the order and Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa issued an ex parte stay order, pending a hearing scheduled within 21 days.
Meanwhile, on review of the application, the Supreme Court issued an interim order staying execution of the IRC order of April 25, 2025, pending the hearing of an inter partes, where both parties will be fully heard.
PCL Corporate and Public Affairs Manager Rehanna Rice said the corporation respects the judicial process and will continue to pursue the matter through the proper legal channels.
“This means the enforcement of that order is suspended while the matter proceeds to be heard fully by the Supreme Court of Appeal. As the case is still before the courts, we will not be commenting further on the details at this stage,” she said.
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When reached for comment, lawyer for the respondents John Suzi Banda acknowledged due service of the order of the Supreme Court.
However, Banda said their side is yet to be served with the inter partes application for stay of enforcement pending appeal.
The case stems from a functional review conducted by PCL as part of its 2020–2024 growth strategy, which led to restructuring and affected several positions, including those of its three former executives.
