SEVEN candidates were yesterday confirmed for the Highlanders vice-chairman post for elections to be held on February 3, making it one of the biggest elections in the recent history of the club. REPORT BY FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
The last election that had more than five candidates for one post was the 2009 poll that had five contestants for the committee member position, eventually won by Wisdom Mabhena.
Chairman of the electoral committee, returning officer Luke Mnkandla, yesterday confirmed nine candidates for the election, seven for the vice-chairman’s post held by Sikhanyiso Moyo and the treasurer’s post left vacant by Odiel Nkomo who resigned three months before the expiry of his tenure.
All nominees who handed in their papers for the elections sailed through the verification process held at the club offices yesterday.
“We went through the process, and two candidates for the treasurer’s post and seven for the vice-chairman’s post all go through to the day of the election. Everybody (candidates and the electorate) must bring their identification document. We had no hassles in the verification process save for a power outage, hence we had brought the generator,” Mnkandla said.
Mnkandla said only Charles Nondo, who is facing off against acting treasurer Jerry Sibanda for that post, was almost disqualified but had to tender his academic qualifications late to sail through.
“There was no proof of qualification for the treasurer’s post, as you know that position requires that a candidate have five Ordinary Levels and a tertiary accounting qualification. They were not aware, but we gave them 30 minutes and the wife brought the certificates and we were satisfied,” Mnkandla said.
Nondo was said to be out of town and was represented by his agent Calvin Chauke, who appeared restless as he went in and out of the office, busy on his mobile phone as time ticked away, before he finally brought the requisite papers.
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Sibanda was represented by Jotham Ndiweni.
Sikhanyiso is seeking re-election for the vice-chairman’s post under challenge from chairman of the Harare Chapter of the Highlanders Supporters’ Association, Mgcini Sibhalo Mpofu, whose papers were okayed in absentia.
Mabhena, TPA Builders Merchants director Joel Mahlangu, Nkosinathi Ncube, Frank Moyo and Leroy Maplanka are the other candidates.
Save for Mpofu, a businessman based in Harare, all the other candidates for the vice-chairman’s post were at the Highlanders offices during the verification process of their nomination papers yesterday.
