Chivayo pledges fresh US$250,000 to Highlanders

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo says he will release a further US$250,000 to Highlanders this week, despite raising concerns over the management and accountability of funds he has provided to the Bulawayo giants.

Chivayo, who is Highlanders' main sponsor after pledging US$1 million towards the club's 2026 season, told ZimLive on Monday that he was frustrated by what he described as a lack of transparency over the use of his money.

"I gave them money for a perimeter wall around the clubhouse, but they started abusing it," Chivayo said.

"Instead of building, they gave each other contracts and spent it however they liked. They did not give me an account of how the money was being used."

Chivayo also questioned why Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari had allegedly gone more than six months without receiving his salary, despite the businessman saying he had provided funds for the coach's remuneration.

"I gave them the full salary for Benjy, one-year salary in advance. I put it in the trust account. Why isn’t Benjy being paid when I gave them that money a year in advance?" he said.

He said his sponsorship was provided with the expectation that the funds would be properly managed and accounted for.

"Where my money is being spent, there must be satisfactory explanations and proper justification, not confusion or any discord," Chivayo said.

"If I am not satisfied, I reserve the right to pull the plug without notice. Voluntary sponsorship must never become an entitlement. With the greatest respect, I don’t owe anyone anything."

Highlanders has been embroiled in a series of player strikes and threats of industrial action over alleged non-payment of salaries and bonuses, adding to concerns surrounding the club's financial management.

Despite his reservations, Chivayo said he had agreed to release another US$250,000 after an intervention by a senior politician from Matabeleland, whom he did not name.

"It was only last week, following the intervention of a senior politician from Matabeleland whom I hold in the highest regard, that I agreed to release a further US$250,000 this week towards Highlanders," he said.

"My support for football and charity work remains unwavering, but financial support must always be accompanied by order, responsibility and results."

Highlanders had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication.

However, a source familiar with the club's financial arrangements disputed Chivayo's account, saying the sponsorship funds were not paid directly to Highlanders.

"Highlanders has never received money directly from the sponsor. The money goes into a trust account which is managed by the sponsor’s point person, Jabulani Nkomo, and his chosen law firm," the source said.

The source said Chivayo should direct his questions about the use of the funds to Nkomo.

"If the sponsor wants to know what happened to the money for the wall, he should ask Jabu. If he wants to know what happened to Benjy’s money, he should ask Jabu," the source said.

"If the sponsor wants Highlanders to account, he should give the money directly to the club. As it stands, only Jabu can tell him where the money has gone."