THE country’s oldest club Highlanders gathers once again tomorrow morning for an annual general meeting (AGM), to go through the remnants of a largely eventful 2012 season that saw a championship loss on a goal difference and the suspension of treasurer Odiel Nkomo.
FORTUNE MBELE
Nkomo was suspended following a damning report from Grant Thornton accountants on financial irregularities and he subsequently resigned and was replaced by Jerry Sibanda.
Highlanders members who spoke to NewsDay Sport said the audit report by was serialised in the media, but they as the owners of the club never got a chance to be officially briefed on the outcome of investigations.
“If they (the executive committee) are responsible, which I think they are, they must devote paragraphs and pages on the issue. It is unavoidable and that issue must be put to rest. If there was any financial prejudice, we will want to know how much the club was prejudiced and what happens to the member in question. If the final audit does not find the man guilty, it will drag the name of the executive into mud,” the member said.
He gave the example of Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda whom the club found guilty of financial prejudice. He was subsequently suspended from the club and was made to pay back the money which was in dispute. Another member said he felt it would be prudent if members are presented with copies of the final audit by the accountants who were called in to conduct the investigations.
Acting treasurer Sibanda will also be expected to present his financial report of the club which has for a long time been fighting unrelenting debts inherited by several executive committees. Highlanders chairman Peter Dube will tomorrow be expected to brief members on the club’s benefactors including sponsors BancABC, who pay the salaries of the players and the technical staff.
Another issue that is likely to be raised at tomorrow’s AGM is the issue of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu’s assistant coaches, whose contracts expired on December 31 with no new appointments having been made more than two weeks after the team started its preparation for the 2013 Castle Lager Premiership season.
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If Bosso is going to be signing or releasing any players for this season – the issue could also be laid open at tomorrow’s meeting with the club having so far attracted Thabani Moyo and tired legs Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube back. Both have been training with the club. Other players who have been training with Highlanders – who started their preparations on January 7 – include the Motor Action duo of Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube and Thembani Masuku.
Nine candidates who were on Monday confirmed by the electoral court for the upcoming elections will also be unveiled at the AGM. Sibanda and businessman Charles Nondo are contesting the treasurer’s post while seven candidates, incumbent Sikhanyiso Moyo, Mgcini Mpofu, Joel Mahlangu, Wisdom Mabhena, Nkosinathi Ncube, Leroy Maplanka and Frank Moyo will be fighting for the vice-chairman’s post.
