BULAWAYO – Highlanders have suspended chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla over alleged financial mismanagement linked to the club’s recent tour of Botswana, while two other senior officials are facing mounting pressure over the same issue.
Mnkandla, who joined the club last year from FC Platinum — becoming Highlanders’ third CEO in 12 months — is accused of failing to follow procurement procedures, resulting in the club allegedly overpaying by at least US$20,000.
He was verbally advised of his suspension by club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe on Tuesday, with a formal written notice expected on Wednesday, according to The Chronicle. The suspension is meant to pave the way for an investigation into the six-day off-season trip.
Pressure is also building on Mhlophe and board member for finance Nkani Khoza, who approved the expenditures.
At the centre of the allegations are claims that Mnkandla did not obtain the mandatory three quotations from service providers before committing the club to expenses, including accommodation for the team.
Both Mhlophe and Mnkandla had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Mnkandla replaced former CEO Brian Busani Moyo, who was dismissed for inflating transfer fees for two players in an elaborate scam carried out with an official from Bulawayo Chiefs, the selling club. He was later prosecuted and received a suspended sentence.
Moyo himself had only been in the role for a few months after succeeding Sihlangu Dlodlo, who was found dead at his home in a suspected suicide.
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