The first shots have been fired in the legal battle between ATIO and its former employee Mike Higgo. ATIO this week obtained a temporary court interdict aimed at preventing Higgo from poaching staff. Under the terms of the interdict he is not allowed to make any contact with present ATIO employees.
Higgo says he will fight the action to give the interdict a more permanent status, and will also fight any other legal steps taken against him. The current interdict is not an indication of wrongdoing, but provides only interim relief while the case is being prepared.
"We will fight it," Higgo says. He remains hopeful that the court will decide in his favour. "We haven`t been in breach of contract. Getting an interim interdict is one thing, but having that made permanent is something else entirely."
ATIO CEO Gary Craul, who promised "strong legal action" when Higgo left the company, says this is only the first phase in its campaign. "Because of the circumstances under which he [Higgo] left, we have decided to take legal action. This is just the first step."
Unwilling to comment any further, Craul would not indicate if and when other charges would be brought.
Higgo has joined Spicer to head up its new Customer Information Services (CIS) division. The division is yet to be launched, but Spicer executive chairman Sas du Toit says he expects it to add R10 million to the group`s bottom-line by this time next year.
The division will not be affected by the legal action, Higgo says, and will not tarnish Spicer`s image. "Spicer is 100% behind us and has indicated its support," he says.
Controversy surrounded the resignation of Higgo and other executives in May, with allegations of breach of contract and uncompetetive behaviour. Higgo was MD of the ATIO CIS division for one year before being suspended from his position. He subsequently resigned and joined Spicer.
Share
