Drama as Bosso drag Maphosa to hearing

Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO

HIGHLANDERS midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa yesterday appeared before the club’s disciplinary committee charged with bringing the name of the team into disrepute. The disciplinary hearing, however, lasted just under 30 minutes when the midfielder and his representative, radio personality Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, demanded to know why they were being tried when Maphosa had long ceased to be a Highlanders employee.

They quoted club chief executive Ndumiso Gumede’s interview with a local daily in which he was quoted as saying Maphosa has since been fired from the club for gross indiscipline.

Armed with the said newspaper, Maphosa and his representative stuck to their ground and demanded that Gumede issues a retraction in the same paper first before the hearing could proceed.

This forced the disciplinary committee’s chairperson and board member Elkanner Dube to adjourn the hearing to a later date.

Other members of the disciplinary committee include outgoing secretary general Andrew Tapela and committee member Charles Moyo.

Last night Gumede promised to issue an official statement on the proceedings of the hearing today.

“I have not seen the reports from the disciplinary hearing, so I suggest you come back to us tomorrow (today),” said Gumede.

Maphosa is accused of bringing the name of the club into disrepute by his off-the-field behaviour that saw him being dragged into the courts for assaulting his former girlfriend and her alleged lover.

He was sentenced to 75 hours of community service.

Maphosa is still a Bosso player as his contract runs out at the end of the year.

Sources said the club wrote three letters to the player, the first soon after his much publicised court case where they (Bosso) warned him against his conduct. They again wrote him another letter charging him for bringing the name of the club into disrepute.

Maphosa forwarded his letter of apology where he expressed his regrets about the incident and expressing his love for the club.

Six players have since been fired by the club for below par performance and lack of discipline while others had their contracts running out.