MATSAPHA – There are allegations that the former Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane resigned after death threats.
Sources said Simelane might have been forced out of his seat, and for the fear of his own life, opted to resign.
The club battled a public crack in its own leadership structures with one faction rooting for Simelane while another side wanted him out.
Simelane called it quits last week and the club is yet to provide a full update including the succession plan.
South African businesswoman, Shaun ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize has assumed the presidency of the rebranded Mbabane Highlanders AM. However, the article does not suggest that MaMkhize is fingered in the allegations. The alleged threats to Simelane’s life could not be independently verified.
Simelane could not comment when sought-after. Neither did Mbabane Highlanders wish to yet comment. The club’s outgoing Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lington Gule said very little. He has not responded to specific questions. However, he took to his Facebook page and said that Simelane was fine.
“Simelane is fine. He’s in a good space. He’s happy. He’s safe. If he was a little boy, I would say he is a bouncing baby boy,” Gule posted on Friday.
Gule has previously stated his praises for Simelane’s contributions in the club.
Gule lamented that it had to come to the resignation, stating that Simelane saved the team more than once and appreciated his stellar leadership.
Gule recalled the time when Highlanders were relegated but Simelane, as the Messiah, saved the team when no one else was on the shore.
He further praised Simelane for funding last season’s projects where he made nothing in return. Gule said the former boss out of love for the team.
The PRO said he was alive to the fact that Highlanders are battling factionism with one side
“To those patrons who are enemies of progress, I know you and if needs be, I will mention you by name. However, SiSwati sakitsi asingivumele (culture does not permit me). May history judge you,” Gule said.
When asked about the relevance of patrons to football, Gule stated that patrons were meant for community football where they had a role of temporarily taking over the team in the absence of a director or whosoever is leading the team until they find another director.
“The Patron structure was meant for the community teams initially, so that when the board of directors or whosoever is leading the teams leaves the Patrons will remain and look after the club until they find another Director. When CAF introduced club licensing requirements,clubs are expected to be registered as companies and club licensing doesn’t recognise the Patron structure,” explained the PRO.
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