Times Of Swaziland: IN DRAMATIC TWIST OF EVENTS: ALLY IN BID TO REMOVE CEO

IN DRAMATIC TWIST OF EVENTS: ALLY IN BID TO REMOVE CEO
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Sanele Jele on 13/11/2024 13:42:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders Director Ally Kgomongwe has threatened to oust
the team’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Musa Masuku.
The South Africa-based director has alleged that Masuku’s leadership is the
root cause of the ongoing turmoil within the team. When asked if he had formally
drafted a letter for Masuku’s removal, Kgomongwe stated that they are in the
process of composing the document and will disclose its contents to the media
once finalised.  Regarding the primary reasons for Masuku’s potential
dismissal, he asserted: “He is the one behind the confusion and misleading
Highlanders supporters. The decline of Highlanders can be traced back to one
individual.
“I once placed my trust in Masuku, but that faith has been irrevocably
shattered. I do not attribute this chaos to anyone but him,” the MD alleged.
When pressed for further clarification, Kgomongwe refrained from providing
specifics, but indicated that recent conversations with Masuku revealed his
‘true colours’.  Some of the accusations directed at Masuku cannot be
repeated, as they cannot be proven,  When queried about whether he had received
the gate takings for this past Sunday’s derby, which are typically deposited
into the team’s account, Kgomongwe noted that he had not checked if he had
received any funds. “You can verify with the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE)
regarding the gate takings.
Trivial
“I do not concern myself with trivial amounts; I am preoccupied with larger
transactions.”  Kgomongwe emphasised that he is not harbouring any grudges; he
is willing to accommodate any disgruntled Highlanders supporters, who wish to
voice their concerns when they come to Pretoria, expressing his readiness to
address the matter. Meanwhile, Masuku stated that if he were to be dismissed
from the team, he would have no objections. “I would not want to dwell much on
what he said, but what I can say is I will swim with the night crocodile.”
The phrase, ‘I will swim with the night crocodile’, is a metaphorical
expression that suggests a willingness to face danger or adversity head-on,
particularly in a challenging or risky situation. When asked for his comments on
the allegations that he is to blame for the team’s internal turmoil, Masuku
remarked that he did not care about the accusations, stressing that he will give
his side about the issue at the right moment.
When asked if he would assist Highlanders in soliciting funds should the
internal turmoil persist, he posed a rhetorical question to this reporter:
“Would you still be working if you were fired from your workplace?” He also
highlighted that he is holding this position on an acting basis, stating that
Highlanders is his home team.
Counting
Meanwhile, PLE Acting CEO Pat Vilakati stated that they have not yet disbursed
the gate takings as they are still counting all the funds and will commence
distribution once the counting from all venues is complete. When asked whether
the gate takings will be disbursed to Kgomongwe’s bank account or allocated to
the team for the players’ needs, he stated that the club is aware of how they
deal with the PLE and knows where the funds will be channelled.
He was also asked if they had any comments regarding the internal turmoil at
Highlanders, to which he replied that they do not interfere in club affairs.
“Clubs, if they have challenges, will come to us, and we will take it from
there. If they have not reported anything to us, we cannot interfere; we let
clubs manage their own internal affairs.”