The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
SUSPENDED Highlanders Royals coach, Samkeliso Ndhlovu is reportedly the subject of an investigation by Zifa following her ascension to the Zimbabwe’s Women Soccer League.
Ndhlovu was suspended by Highlanders after she failed to account for and hand over a donation of eight sewing machines and seven cellphones from Australian team Melbourne City FC.
Impeccable sources at Zifa said the football mother body wanted to find out whether the allegations are true and if she is suitable to continue holding the executive committee post in the ZWF.
She won the post uncontested as few candidates entered the race for the ZWSL elections.
“Zifa is concerned about its image and obviously if someone commits a misdemeanour at their club, it won’t be proper for them to continue in their Zifa position.
“Enquiries are being made as to exactly what transpired and whether Highlanders have delivered a ruling on the matter. But Highlanders is yet to do that,” said the source.
ZWF administrator Theresa Maguraushe declined to comment on the matter and referred this reporter to Zifa spokesman, Xolisani Gwesela who was not reachable.
Ndhlovu was elected unopposed to the Zimbabwe Women Soccer League committee last month together with Rosemary Kanonge, who is the chair, Samukeliso Silengane, vice-chairperson and Barbra Chikosi who came in as an executive committee member.
In April this year, Ndlovu allegedly received a donation of eight sewing machines — seven electric and one manual — as well as seven cellphones on behalf of Highlanders Royals as part of the equipment for a self sustainable project.
She facilitated the deal while in Australia and asked Highlanders to write a pledge letter acknowledging her as a member of the revived Royals ladies team.
Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede wrote to Melbourne City FC on 2 February 2016.
Although the said the equipment was delivered the Highlanders Royals never received the donation.
“She failed to furnish the executive with a satisfactory explanation in our first meeting so we asked her to submit a report, which she did last week. The report is riddled with inconsistencies. Initially she had told some members of the executive that she had received eight machines but her report now makes mention of only two machines,” Gumede was quoted saying at the time when the club resolved to suspend her.
Ndlovu told our sister publication B-Metro Sport in an interview in September that the machines belonged to her and not Highlanders.
Highlanders are yet to conclude the disciplinary process.
