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Peter Dube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S D-Day for suspended Highlanders’ chairman Peter Dube, as the Zifa assembly holds its annual general meeting today where it is expected to either endorse or reject his sanction.

Today marks exactly 398 days since the Zifa executive committee suspended Dube on November 14, 2016, on accusations of contravening Article 1.15 of Schedule 11 of the Zifa Rules and Regulations.

When Dube was suspended, the national association alleged that on October 29, 2106, he interrupted formal proceedings of a Zifa congress and further attempted to incite chaos by standing up and addressing congress delegates without seeking requisite permission from the chair of the congress.

Dube was also alleged to have incited Premier Soccer League clubs’ representatives to denounce lawfully made resolutions.

Dube, Zifa alleged, violated Zifa regulations by failing to restrain himself during the PSL promotion/relegation conundrum and also attended the meeting as a representative of Highlanders FC, while he was a Zifa executive committee member.

Consequently, Dube was suspended from representing or associating himself with Zifa or any of its members and he in turn ceased to be a member of the global football family.

When Zifa lifted suspensions of five other suspended members Ndumiso Gumede, Ian Gorowa, Nation Dube, Philani Ncube, Jerry Sibanda and the late Edzai Kasinauyo on February 10 this year, the Bosso chairman remained suspended with Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa arguing that Dube’s case had been referred to the review committee.

All efforts to have Dube’s suspension lifted hit a brick wall, with some Highlanders board members even approaching political heavyweights to try and coerce the Zifa executive committee to lift the suspension.

According to 20 items on the agenda of today’s Indaba, Dube’s case is likely to come under item 12 (Ratifications of Board Resolutions) or item 17 (Any Other Business) where due notice was given.

A legal fundi, who requested anonymity, said the assembly has the power to lift or endorse Dube’s suspension since it was the parliament of football in the country.

“However, if tomorrow’s gathering endorses his (Dube) suspension, he might have to insist on a hearing, demand a stage to defend himself. He might argue that natural justice calls for him to be brought before a competent disciplinary committee and if it’s not granted, the other option will be for him to approach the courts for recourse,” said the lawyer.

In the absence of Dube, vice-chairman Modern Ngwenya has been Highlanders’ acting chairman.

Highlanders’ members hold elections in two months time to choose a chairman, secretary general and committee member.

Besides the Dube suspension, the rest of the agenda items are merely constitutional requirements where Chiyangwa is expected to give his address that will later be deliberated on. The meeting will also tackle constitutional amendments. — @skhumoyo2000