Maphosa was not fired: Gumede

Sport
MTHULISI Maphosa was not fired by the club, according to Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede who was confirming the postponement of his case yesterday.

MTHULISI Maphosa was not fired by the club, according to Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede who was confirming the postponement of his case yesterday. Thandiwe Moyo Sports Correspondent

Gumede said Maphosa, the club’s midfielder, was not given a letter which the other six players who were shown the exit were presented with last week.

He said Maphosa was not among the players that were reportedly presented with letters, but was asked to appear before a disciplinary committee for bringing the club to disrepute.

“The matter was postponed today (yesterday),” he said.

“I have not read the outcome, but the long and short of it is that the defendant raised a number of issues which Highlanders has to study.”

He added that one was his interview where he was quoted as saying Maphosa had been fired from the club for indiscipline.

“One of the issues that he pointed out was that I said he was fired from the club,” Gumede said.

Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede
Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede

“It was only pointed out to him (Maphosa) that his actions were bringing the club’s name into disrepute. It was also pointed out that he would be sanctioned or charged if he continued. Everyone makes mistakes even the Bible in Ecclesiastes 7:20 points it out.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 reads: “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Gumede added: “All the players that were asked to leave were given letters. Maphosa was not given a letter. I never said Mthulisi was fired. I cannot tell the press that, I can only tell him.”

Part of the letter that the players were presented reads: “. . . As ably explained in the meeting that we had, we will be rebuilding for the future and some of the players will continue elsewhere. In this regard you have to find a new home. We cherish the time that we spent together.”

Some of the players who are said to have been given the letter are Joel Ngodzo, Dumisani Ndlovu, Njabulo Ncube, Hillary Madzivanyika, Tapiwa Dephistara and Njabulo Nyoni.

Maphosa’s disciplinary woes were said not only to emanate from his recent conviction for assaulting his former girlfriend and alleged lover, but include previous issues to do with violence.