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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
IT never rains but it pours for Bulawayo giants Highlanders who have lost two more cases to former players in rulings made this week by an independent arbitrator.The financially troubled club, which has been hit by reduced funding from principal sponsors BancABC together with Dynamos because the bank is going through a lean spell, will have to pay Bruce Tshuma $5,500 and a residential stand in the high density suburbs while former midfielder Heritein Masuku is due to receive $6,000 in outstanding signing on fees that the club failed to pay on time.
Tshuma was released from his contract and has been on semi-retirement while Masuku was at How Mine last season.
Highlanders have been struggling to meet their financial obligations since Ernest Sibanda’s term as club chairman ended in 2009.
Themba Ndlela, who took over from Sibanda, failed to turn the deficit to a positive as did incumbent chairman Peter Dube.
BancABC, who have retired some of their top management and are now under new owners, have been the backbone of both Dynamos and Highlanders but their helping hand has not been enough to wipe off debts that have been mounting from 2009.
Paul Gundani, the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general, confirmed that Highlanders had lost the two cases to bring to three the number of judgments going against the club.
Last month, they were ordered to pay Masimba Mambare $10,000 in signing on fees.
“We have as the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe, received two judgments where Highlanders have been ordered to pay Bruce Tshuma $5,500 and a residential stand. The other case involved Heritein Masuku who is owed $6,000,” said the former Young Warriors and Warriors player.
Gundani said Chiredzi had also been asked to pay Brighton Pamhirwa $2,300.
The former Lancashire and Ziscosteel star said it was not only Highlanders and Chiredzi who had had cases brought to them for arbitration.
“Some clubs, what they do is that when the cases surface, they are quick to approach us and settle for terms that are affordable,” said Gundani.
Highlanders are expected to pay the money within 30 days.
Tshuma had a stint to forget at Highlanders as he struggled for game time while Masuku played cameo roles as Bosso finished second in 2012 and 2013.
In another development, Gundani has appealed to players not to sign contracts with managers before thorough checks.
Last year, Harare-based football agent Gibson Mahachi threatened action against Mpumalanga Black Aces hitman Tendai Ndoro.
The striker is alleged to have been on his books and two other agents.
“Players should do a background search on the people who have approached them to be their managers or agents. You may rush to sign with a manager who has no links and when one with credentials comes you ditch the other,” said Gundani.
Such actions, he said, could lead to a player being banned from football.
“The player and the game lose in such instances,” said Gundani.
Online Reporter