Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira and Lovemore Dube
HIGHLANDERS executive chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has skirted allegations by club chief executive officer Denzel Mnkandla that they have not paid his salaries for the past three months but rather insisted that the top official reconsiders his declaration of financial incapacitation.
Mhlophe, without directly addressing Mnkandla’s grievances, insisted that the club’s chief executive officer has a responsibility to lead the club through its financial challenges.
Correspondence seen by Zimpapers Sports Hub shows Mhlophe dismissing both Mnkandla’s reasons for staying away from work and his proposal for a settlement.
“I am in receipt of your letter. I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept both your reasons for not turning up for duty and the intimation of a settlement.
“It is important to remind you that as the Club CEO you are an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee and as such you are fully aware of the financial difficulties which the club is presently attempting to navigate.
“Further, as the Club CEO you are both in charge of and leading day-to-day administration, implementation of resolutions and secretariat functions. It is for this reason that I cannot accept that you wish to excuse yourself from your critical role while expecting the rest of your subordinates to present themselves for duty and find solutions to the club’s difficulties.
“It is my expectation that you will reconsider your position and discharge your responsibilities without further need for me to remind you,” wrote Mhlophe.
Mhlophe’s response follows a letter from Mnkandla in which the Highlanders chief executive said he could no longer report for duty after allegedly going three months without receiving his salary.
Mhlophe could not explain why despite a club resolution to pay Mnkandla outstanding dues like all other employees as discussed at a full executive meeting before the Dynamos match, the chief executive officer to the surprise of other executive members was not paid by the club.
Highlanders’ debts were at US$470 000 in January and have mounted with players owed bonuses and salaries.
