Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ASPIRING Highlanders’ treasurer Charles Ndlovu has dismissed fears of ethical challenges should he be voted into office at the club’s elections set for February 7, saying he possessed the requisite experience and qualifications to handle the position.
Ndlovu holds a senior position with a rival bank to Highlanders’s principal sponsors BancABC.
Ndlovu, 47, said BancABC entered into an agreement with Highlanders as an institution and not the treasurer’s office or the individual holding the position of club treasurer.
“I don’t think there could be any ethical challenges even on the negotiating table, and besides, my employers are in no way involved with Highlanders,” he said.
“In the event that in future my employers decide to engage Highlanders in any way, I wouldn’t mind recusing myself if there is a need, but basically I don’t think our sponsors will have any qualms with me holding the post of Highlanders’ treasurer”.
Ndlovu said his sporting life has largely been with the Bulawayo giants, although some members might not be familiar with him.
He was a cashier at Highlanders for 10 years from 1995-2005 and worked with successive Bosso treasurers in the process.
“From 2005 to 2010, I was the chief cashier for the club before I became the Premier Soccer League’s chief cashier from 2011 to 2014. In all this time, I was dealing directly with various club treasurers, but mainly Highlanders,” said Ndlovu who was also in the Cosafa finance committee when Zimbabwe played host to the championships in 2009.
“I go into this election with a clear conscience that in a poll, one can win or lose, but at the end of the day, it’s all about Highlanders going through its election process. If members decide against voting me into office, it’s still okay; that is why it’s an election, but I believe one can’t just walk into a position without getting the mandate of members,” he said.
Ndlovu will square off with incumbent Donald Ndebele.
Ndebele was co-opted into the position following the resignation of Jerry Sibanda after he was recalled by his employers – the Bulawayo City Council in 2014 and named as chairman of their sponsored football team Bulawayo City.
Bulawayo City won the Zifa Southern Region Division One League in 2015 and will feature in this year’s Premier Soccer League.
Highlanders’ members will also vote for a new club vice-chairman in the February 7 election. Incumbent Mgcini Sibhalo Mpofu will be seeking a fresh mandate from members and is being challenged by Nkosinathi Ncube, who runs a charity organisation in Bulawayo, Harare-based businessman Morden Ngwenya and retired senior army officer and city businessman Kenneth Mhlophe.