Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AT just 22, Simba Madzivire was once tipped to be a future star of Highlanders Football Club. Now, he’s at the centre of a storm that’s rocking the club’s corridors, and has even drawn the attention of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).
Madzivire’s case is bizarre. Despite being one of the standout names in Highlanders’ much hyped 2022 youth intake, he’s never made it into the senior team’s match-day squad. Yet, records show he holds a senior team contract, one that entitles him to a residential stand and a US$450 monthly salary.
The club’s treasury department reportedly stumbled upon the anomaly during a routine audit, only to discover something more troubling: Simba has infact two contracts. One with Bosso 90, the club’s developmental side playing in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League and another with the senior team.
Insiders say the junior contract was never revoked, and no formal transition to the senior team was enforced. Even more concerning, he’s not registered among the Premier Soccer League’s 30-man squad, nor does he train with the main group. As one official put it, “There’s simply no room for him in the current set-up, not with his form.”
Former head coach Kelvin Kaindu and his technical team reportedly professed ignorance when asked whether the player was part of their plans.
It’s a twist that’s both shocking and puzzling for a player who came through what was once hailed as one of Highlanders’ most promising generations. In 2022, Madzivire was part of a star-studded junior group that included names like Prince Ndlovu, Gillian Nyathi, and Talent Dube, a 22-man core seen as Highlanders’ golden future.
But fast-forward to 2025, and only Prince and Nyathi have broken into the senior team. The rest, including Madzivire, have faded into obscurity, or, as in his case, into administrative controversy.
The club’s financial dealings have been under scrutiny this year and Madzivire’s mysterious senior contract has only added fuel to the fire.
Highlanders treasurer Nkani Khoza is believed to be leading a clean-up of the club’s accounts.
More questionable payouts have also emerged.
Secretary General Morgan Dube has come under fire for allegedly claiming travel allowances and accommodation for away matches despite holding a post that traditionally doesn’t qualify for such perks.
Chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, denied there was ever a resolution authorising Dube’s payouts.
“There’s no record I’ve seen that entitles the secretary general to those allowances,” Mhlophe said.
Another controversial payment involves match-day allowances of US$80 each for the treasurer, secretary general, and a committee member, even during home games.
Mhlophe confirmed the arrangement, but added that Khoza has refused to accept his share since taking office.
“He’s declined to take it, saying there’s no formal resolution allowing it,” said the chairman. “The treasurer is responsible for the income, the committee member liaises with supporters, and the secretary general hosts dignitaries and the visiting team. When I returned to office, these payments were already in place.”
Amid all this, acting CEO Kindman Ndlovu referred questions about the allegations to board secretary Matthew Sibindi. Efforts to reach Sibindi were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered.
Dube, when contacted for comment, confirmed he was aware that Zacc was now investigating financial matters at Highlanders.
“I’m reserving my right to comment,” he said.
While the club grapples with internal scrutiny, the big question remains: How did a player who’s never kicked a ball in the top flight land a senior contract, and what else lies buried in Highlanders’ books?
Colletta Dube
Highlanders’ admin is a bunch of tribalists, hell bend on destroying Highlanders because someone along the line keeps taking non Ndebele speaking players into the team. This is fact and most Highlanders supporters can testify to that.