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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Highlanders Football Club board is reportedly divided over the candidature of former chairman Ernest Maphepha Sibanda who is eyeing a come back.A majority however feel his return could harm the club’s gains in front of the business community where good ground has been covered in the last few years towards making the club the brand of choice; free from corrupt and thieving leadership.

Impeccable sources revealed that some board members want the former player and manager to be barred because of his previous conviction after he was found guilty of financial irregularities. Sibanda was found guilty of misappropriating funds involved in the transfer of striker Obidiah Tarumbwa to a Belgian club.

He admitted to the charge and was pardoned by the club’s disciplinary committee after he paid back the money at the insistence of the man who made him club manager Peter Dube now club chairman.

Dube gave Maphepha his first shot at fame when he engaged him as club manager with no name and stature.

Club sources argue that Sibanda is biting the hand that helped him get his suspension lifted by challenging Dube, his close ally.

Those calling for his disqualification argue that a convicted member should not be allowed anywhere near the club but others are of the view that since he was pardoned, he could contest the elections despite being tainted with the Tarumbwa scandal and Asiagate where he admitted again to wrong doing.

“Remember that when he was under suspension, he wasn’t allowed anywhere near the club even at the clubhouse and was barred from attending club meetings. This all changed when his suspension was lifted,” said a source at the club.

Maphepha is yet to publicly declare his candidature but close associates have already confirmed that he is likely to announce his candidature anytime this week.

“I’m very confident that by Tuesday or Wednesday, you guys will be called to a press conference. I’m told he will pick up his forms tomorrow (today),” said a close confidante.

A board member who spoke on condition of anonymity said there was no reason to bar Maphepha from contesting. He said club members should be left to decide whether or not they want him back.

But a club source close to another board member with links to the human resources sub committee said once a criminal was convicted he stayed that for life and any close association with the club could harm the club’s good standing in the corporate sector where credibility was important more than politics of patronage.

Highlanders board of directors secretary, Jimmy Ncube, said he was not aware of any clause that disqualifies a convict from contesting elections.

“Where have you heard that, where is it written? Sibanda was forgiven for his crime so what wrong has he done now? I personally don’t know of such a provision so if ever he wants to contest for any post, I believe he’s free to do so and members will either accept or reject him,” said Ncube.

This could be a test for Highlanders’ credibility in front of the corporate sector who are Bosso’s livelihood and blind loyalty.

Nominations for the Highlanders elections close on Saturday with interested candidates expected to submit a form signed by at least 10 bona fide members. The candidates also pay $100 which is refundable provided the candidate gets more than 10 percent of the vote.

Highlanders members will vote on the first Sunday of next month with three posts up for grabs, the chairmanship, held by Peter Dube, secretary which is held by Andrew Tapela, constitutionally barred from contesting and that of committee member held by Charles Moyo.

Moyo is seeking  re-election and is likely to face the challenge of Faith Silandulo Dube. For the secretary general’s post, four candidates have since confirmed their candidature. The four are former manager Emmet Ndlovu, Innocent Batsani Ncube, Donald Ndebele and National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) Bulawayo provincial chairperson Njabulo Bango.