Opinion / Columnist
Legal threats rock Highlanders as Executive Members' Court move sparks governance crisis
2 hrs ago |
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Highlanders Football Club finds itself at a dangerous crossroads after two senior Executive Committee members reportedly threatened legal action against their own club and its elected Treasurer, Nkani Khoza. The move has sent shockwaves through Bosso and raised serious questions about leadership, governance, and adherence to football statutes.
Executive Committee member Kindman Ndlovu and Secretary General Morgen "Gazza" Dube, through their lawyers, are said to have demanded that Treasurer Nkani Khoza withdraw his financial report presented at last month's Annual General Meeting (AGM) and issue a public apology. They argue that the contents of the report damaged their reputations and cast doubt on their integrity. However, their decision to escalate the matter outside internal football structures may carry consequences far beyond reputational concerns.
This is a dangerous legal precedent and FIFA statutes are clear, football-related disputes must be resolved within football's internal mechanisms in this case through Highlanders Board or, where necessary, through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Taking football matters to ordinary courts of law is strictly prohibited and can attract severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from football activities for life.
If the reported legal threats proceed through civil courts, the two officials risk placing themselves in direct violation of FIFA regulations, a move many observers describe as reckless and potentially self-destructive.
This is what happened at the Highlanders AGM. Nkani Khoza, the duly elected Treasurer of Highlanders FC and a qualified chartered accountant regulated by professional bodies, presented the club's financial report at a properly constituted AGM. Members present debated and ultimately adopted the report. Notably, Kindman Ndlovu chaired the meeting. After the presentation, he asked members whether they accepted the Treasurer's report. It was seconded and adopted without recorded objection from the floor, the Executive Committee, or the Board. There was no formal dispute raised at the AGM. No immediate challenge to the Treasurer's presentation and no recorded dissent.
For the same officials who presided over and accepted the report to now demand its withdrawal raises troubling questions about consistency and motive. Khoza's report disclosed several governance and financial control concerns, US$2,048 in allowances claimed by Secretary General Morgen Dube for match attendance, food, transport, and accommodation, described as unexplained and unauthorised. Khoza did not accuse Dube of theft but stated that the claims required explanation and proper authorisation.
A PowerPoint slide, briefly visible before technical interruptions, referenced Executive Committee member Kindman Ndlovu. Members reportedly saw figures relating to match-day allowances, X-ray services, and approximately US$3,000 in unsupported medical expenses lacking payment vouchers. Khoza did not accuse Ndlovu of theft but highlighted issues of accountability.
Player contract irregularities resulting in overpayments totalling US$32,274.91, raising concerns about internal payroll controls, Khoza never pointed a finger at anyone or accused either of the 2 gentlemen for being behind it.
A controversial loan deal involving Bulawayo Chiefs player Never Rauzhi, where an agreed US$5,000 loan fee was allegedly inflated to US$5,500, with US$500 reportedly paid to a finance department employee and not reflected in the selling club's records. The money was later returned, but no disciplinary action followed. The employee concerned remains in the office working in the same finance department despite such bad and illegal practice.
These disclosures pointed not to personal attacks, but to systemic weaknesses in financial controls, procurement procedures, and governance standards. The Treasurer's constitutional duty is to present the club's financial position to its members at an AGM. There is no clause in the Highlanders constitution requiring him to seek Executive approval before presenting a financial report to members just as a Chairperson is not constitutionally obligated to present a pre-approved speech.
As a chartered accountant bound by strict ethical codes, Khoza is professionally obligated to only present accurate financial information. To suppress or alter material financial disclosures would risk his professional standing. The question now confronting Bosso members is simple, Was the Treasurer fulfilling his mandate or stepping on powerful toes?
The Board of Directors, as custodians of the club, possesses disciplinary authority under the constitution. Yet despite internal discussions in joint Board and Executive meetings, a few board members always refuse to agree on instituting disciplinary actions against the accused and no decisive action has been taken ever since allegations were unraveled. Allegations of financial irregularities in professionally run institutions typically trigger immediate suspensions pending independent investigation. At Highlanders, however, officials remain in office while investigations reportedly drag on.
The Board's perceived reluctance to act decisively has fuelled concerns about division, indecision, or selective enforcement of governance principles. What they should know is that sponsors are watching closely.
Highlanders secured major sponsorship backing, including support from Sakunda, Scotland and recently from it's benefactor Wicknell Chivayo who invested heavily on the club including donating a new bus. I now understand why Chivayo engaged a curator to administer funds donated to Bosso, it's all to do with accountability because Bosso failed for over 3 years to present it's financial statements until for the first time Khoza in his first year presented almost perfect financials. Doing saw has drawn legal threats. Corporate partners demand stability, accountability, and governance integrity. No sponsor wants association with unresolved financial disputes, internal litigation, or governance paralysis.
I know understand instability at boardroom level risks damaging not just reputations, but commercial relationships critical to the club's survival. Highlanders is not just another football club. It is a national institution, a national treasure, the biggest football brand in Zimbabwe, with deep cultural and historical significance.
Legal threats between serving officials do not protect that legacy, they weaken it. If Executive members feel aggrieved, the honourable path would be to step aside and pursue personal remedies without entangling the institution they serve. Taking the club to court while remaining in office presents a glaring conflict of interest and ethical contradiction.
This is a defining moment for Bosso's leadership, and the Board must act decisively. Governance must rise above friendship and factional loyalty. Accountability must apply equally to all, Highlanders deserves stability, transparency, and principled leadership, not courtroom battles and internal warfare.
The badge is bigger than individuals, Highlanders ngeyabantu, abezwa kutshisa ezikhundleni abatshiye angithi akuholelwa. Why cling on to power when there should be no benefits from holding an office at Highlanders? Surely there is something to gain there, otherwise hambani #ezratshisa4life #Bosso4Life #ayisozibulawe Highlanders F.C
Executive Committee member Kindman Ndlovu and Secretary General Morgen "Gazza" Dube, through their lawyers, are said to have demanded that Treasurer Nkani Khoza withdraw his financial report presented at last month's Annual General Meeting (AGM) and issue a public apology. They argue that the contents of the report damaged their reputations and cast doubt on their integrity. However, their decision to escalate the matter outside internal football structures may carry consequences far beyond reputational concerns.
This is a dangerous legal precedent and FIFA statutes are clear, football-related disputes must be resolved within football's internal mechanisms in this case through Highlanders Board or, where necessary, through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Taking football matters to ordinary courts of law is strictly prohibited and can attract severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from football activities for life.
If the reported legal threats proceed through civil courts, the two officials risk placing themselves in direct violation of FIFA regulations, a move many observers describe as reckless and potentially self-destructive.
This is what happened at the Highlanders AGM. Nkani Khoza, the duly elected Treasurer of Highlanders FC and a qualified chartered accountant regulated by professional bodies, presented the club's financial report at a properly constituted AGM. Members present debated and ultimately adopted the report. Notably, Kindman Ndlovu chaired the meeting. After the presentation, he asked members whether they accepted the Treasurer's report. It was seconded and adopted without recorded objection from the floor, the Executive Committee, or the Board. There was no formal dispute raised at the AGM. No immediate challenge to the Treasurer's presentation and no recorded dissent.
For the same officials who presided over and accepted the report to now demand its withdrawal raises troubling questions about consistency and motive. Khoza's report disclosed several governance and financial control concerns, US$2,048 in allowances claimed by Secretary General Morgen Dube for match attendance, food, transport, and accommodation, described as unexplained and unauthorised. Khoza did not accuse Dube of theft but stated that the claims required explanation and proper authorisation.
A PowerPoint slide, briefly visible before technical interruptions, referenced Executive Committee member Kindman Ndlovu. Members reportedly saw figures relating to match-day allowances, X-ray services, and approximately US$3,000 in unsupported medical expenses lacking payment vouchers. Khoza did not accuse Ndlovu of theft but highlighted issues of accountability.
Player contract irregularities resulting in overpayments totalling US$32,274.91, raising concerns about internal payroll controls, Khoza never pointed a finger at anyone or accused either of the 2 gentlemen for being behind it.
A controversial loan deal involving Bulawayo Chiefs player Never Rauzhi, where an agreed US$5,000 loan fee was allegedly inflated to US$5,500, with US$500 reportedly paid to a finance department employee and not reflected in the selling club's records. The money was later returned, but no disciplinary action followed. The employee concerned remains in the office working in the same finance department despite such bad and illegal practice.
These disclosures pointed not to personal attacks, but to systemic weaknesses in financial controls, procurement procedures, and governance standards. The Treasurer's constitutional duty is to present the club's financial position to its members at an AGM. There is no clause in the Highlanders constitution requiring him to seek Executive approval before presenting a financial report to members just as a Chairperson is not constitutionally obligated to present a pre-approved speech.
As a chartered accountant bound by strict ethical codes, Khoza is professionally obligated to only present accurate financial information. To suppress or alter material financial disclosures would risk his professional standing. The question now confronting Bosso members is simple, Was the Treasurer fulfilling his mandate or stepping on powerful toes?
The Board of Directors, as custodians of the club, possesses disciplinary authority under the constitution. Yet despite internal discussions in joint Board and Executive meetings, a few board members always refuse to agree on instituting disciplinary actions against the accused and no decisive action has been taken ever since allegations were unraveled. Allegations of financial irregularities in professionally run institutions typically trigger immediate suspensions pending independent investigation. At Highlanders, however, officials remain in office while investigations reportedly drag on.
The Board's perceived reluctance to act decisively has fuelled concerns about division, indecision, or selective enforcement of governance principles. What they should know is that sponsors are watching closely.
Highlanders secured major sponsorship backing, including support from Sakunda, Scotland and recently from it's benefactor Wicknell Chivayo who invested heavily on the club including donating a new bus. I now understand why Chivayo engaged a curator to administer funds donated to Bosso, it's all to do with accountability because Bosso failed for over 3 years to present it's financial statements until for the first time Khoza in his first year presented almost perfect financials. Doing saw has drawn legal threats. Corporate partners demand stability, accountability, and governance integrity. No sponsor wants association with unresolved financial disputes, internal litigation, or governance paralysis.
I know understand instability at boardroom level risks damaging not just reputations, but commercial relationships critical to the club's survival. Highlanders is not just another football club. It is a national institution, a national treasure, the biggest football brand in Zimbabwe, with deep cultural and historical significance.
Legal threats between serving officials do not protect that legacy, they weaken it. If Executive members feel aggrieved, the honourable path would be to step aside and pursue personal remedies without entangling the institution they serve. Taking the club to court while remaining in office presents a glaring conflict of interest and ethical contradiction.
This is a defining moment for Bosso's leadership, and the Board must act decisively. Governance must rise above friendship and factional loyalty. Accountability must apply equally to all, Highlanders deserves stability, transparency, and principled leadership, not courtroom battles and internal warfare.
The badge is bigger than individuals, Highlanders ngeyabantu, abezwa kutshisa ezikhundleni abatshiye angithi akuholelwa. Why cling on to power when there should be no benefits from holding an office at Highlanders? Surely there is something to gain there, otherwise hambani #ezratshisa4life #Bosso4Life #ayisozibulawe Highlanders F.C
Source - Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
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