Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders Football Club has said they did not make a report to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the police, or any other investigative body, after the anti-graft body raided their offices on Thursday.
ZACC raided Bosso offices investigating alleged irregularities involving player transfer deals and the management of club funds.
On Thursday, acting Highlanders CEO Kindman Ndlovu confirmed the arrival of the ZACC delegation and that the club is cooperating with authorities before referring further queries to club chairman, Kenneth Mhlophe.
He confirmed the raid but offered little detail, saying: “Yes, ZACC visited our offices. At this point, we are still trying to understand the full nature of their probe. I have no further comment.”
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Bosso board chairman Luke Mnkandla said following a visit by officials from ZACC to the Highlanders Football Club offices on Thursday, the club has set the record straight for its bona fide members, supporters, and stakeholders over the matter.
“Highlanders Football Club has not made any report to ZACC, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) or any other investigative body. The Club has effective administration processes that can deal with any issues of concern. As a member of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), an affiliate of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the club is committed to upholding the rules and regulations of FIFA and ensuring that governance and operations are free from external interference (Article 14: Independence of FIFA and its member associations and Article 19: Governing bodies and autonomy).
“Finally, the Club would like to assure the Club’s sponsors and other stakeholders that the information relating to them is safe and has not been contaminated.”
ZACC has launched an investigation into Highlanders Football Club over suspected corruption linked to player transfers and financial mismanagement.
One case that came to light was that of former Highlanders FC CEO Brian Moyo, who was in April arrested alongside Bulawayo Chiefs FC administrator Andrew Mandigora, with the duo accused of defrauding their clubs of US$5,000 by inflating player transfer fees.
Moyo resigned a week before his arrest, after he was implicated in a corruption and misappropriation scandal.
Mandigora was fined after he pleaded guilty, while Moyo’s case is pending after pleading not guilty to the charge.
Londile Moyo