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Highlanders board chairman Mgcini Nkolomi addresses journalist during a press conference while the CEO Ndumiso Gumede follows proceedings at Highlanders offices yesterday.

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
THE Highlanders FC board is concerned by statements made by Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda which they deem to be inciting ahead of tomorrow’s annual general meeting set for the team’s clubhouse. Mgcini Nkolomi, the Bosso board chairman, appealed for calm following Sibanda’s demands to have bona fide members deciding his fate after the electoral court threw his papers away saying he was “not in good standing.”

He said his board has been forced to react to Sibanda’s post disqualification stance which “has taken centre stage for wrong reasons” and as custodians of the club they were obliged to protect their brand from being dragged into disrepute.

“Each time we call a Press conference as a board we do so probably because there’s an issue that we feel is quite pertinent, quite important especially for our bona fide members and strategic stakeholders. As Highlanders we’re a big institution, a big brand which obviously is quite sensitive about the manner we’re portrayed outside,” said Nkolomi.

“What made us to react as a board is that after the nomination court which is seized with the matter, made its decision to bar him from contesting, Ernest Maphepha Sibanda has gone against the constitution by saying the members must go and decide at the annual general meeting.

“We feel that’s very unfortunate because that’s got potential to incite our members. We’re appealing to our members to be calm, come attend the annual general meeting and we do things the Highlanders way. Highlanders have always done things above board in a professional manner and would want members to come and be part of that process in a peaceful and honourable manner,” he said.

Sibanda, who was challenging incumbent Peter Dube, argues that he is of good standing as he has no criminal record.

Nkolomi refused to disclose the reasons why Sibanda was barred from contesting and said members will be informed tomorrow.

“The members will be told the reasons why he was disqualified. The board isn’t in a position to respond to whatever issues Maphepha has raised. All we’re appealing for is calm because the statement made by Sibanda has potential to raise unnecessary emotions that might disturb our peaceful annual general meeting,” said Nkolomi.

On Thursday, at a Press conference, Sibanda acknowledged serving his ban by the club after being found guilty of converting Highlanders’ $25,000 to his own use from the sale of Obidiah Tarumbwa to Cercle Brugge in 2008. Sibanda was “banned from the club and from participating in any capacity in the club activities for a period of three years” from March 20, 2010. He had his last year of the sentence lifted later on.

He is therefore baffled by the electoral court’s decision to disqualify him.

“Yes, I got the judgment in 2010 and two years after that I was pardoned. My card was not stopped. On Asiagate I was cleared. Go to courts, police and find out if I’ve a criminal record. I don’t have any so why then deny people an opportunity to turn me down through voting?” Sibanda said on Thursday.

It seems the ghost of Tarumbwa is haunting Sibanda as he went against the club’s values which are accountability, honesty and transparency when conducting the club’s business.

Nkolomi said by asking for members to decide his fate tomorrow Sibanda had gone against the club’s constitution.

“As a board we’re disappointed by the stance that Sibanda has taken because we feel it’s got potential to incite members because once the nomination court sat and made its decision that decision can’t be contested. He has gone against the golden rule and we feel that it’s an issue that obviously affects our modus oparandi as an institution because we’ve got a way of dealing with issues.

“He says he respects the constitution but I don’t think he does because if he does respect the constitution he wouldn’t have called members to come and decide because we believe that his fate has been decided by the (nomination) court,” Nkolomi said.

Nkolomi dismissed allegations that the board was interfering with the executive’s operations saying they were only there on advisory capacity.