ENTREPRENEUR Jabulani Nkomo, curator of funds injected into Highlanders Football Club by businessman Wicknell Chivayo, has threatened to sue two supporters over WhatsApp allegations that he embezzled club funds.
Following correspondence from Nkomo’s lawyers, Cheda and Associates, supporters Dr F.M. Sibanda and Zenzo “Zemura” Matumba have since apologised.
Sibanda had claimed in a WhatsApp group that funds donated by Chivayo had not reached the club’s coffers, alleging that of the US$500 000 donated, only US$268 000 reached Highlanders while US$46 000 went to lawyers and accountants.
In a letter to Sibanda, Nkomo’s lawyers said the statement falsely implied he had embezzled the funds.
Following correspondence from Nkomo’s lawyers, Cheda and Associates, supporters Dr F.M. Sibanda and Zenzo “Zemura” Matumba have since apologised.
In a letter to Sibanda, Nkomo’s lawyers said the statement falsely implied he had embezzled the funds.
“Our client reserves his legal right to sue you for defamation. Our instructions are that you withdraw that statement and apologise for this clearly defamatory statement,” the lawyers wrote.
Matumba was also cited after he responded in the group, naming lawyers allegedly involved in the matter. He, too, was instructed to retract his statement or face litigation.
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“You went ahead and responded on the same group and stated “ ama Lawyer u Philani Khumalo and Associates,” Cheda and Associates said.
Matumba was also asked to withdraw his statement in the same WhatsApp group or face litigation.
Sibanda has since apologies.
“I sincerely apologise for forwarding the WhatsApp message regarding Mr. Jabulani Nkomo and Highlanders Football Club. The information was circulating on a WhatsApp group, and I forwarded it exactly as I received it without verifying its accuracy,” he wrote.
“I retract the false statement and apologise unreservedly for any inconvenience or harm caused by its dissemination.”
Matumba also apologised to Nkomo.
“Upon reflection, I acknowledge that my comments were inappropriate and were made without verification of the facts. I understand that the remarks may have caused harm to your reputation, dignity and standing within both the business and football communities,” he said.
“I, therefore, unreservedly withdraw the statements and any insinuations arising from them.”
