Highlanders Football Club has officially broken its silence following a high-profile raid conducted by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) at its Bulawayo offices on Thursday, 17 July 2025. The club, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most supported football institutions, issued a detailed statement aimed at clarifying its position and quelling growing public speculation over alleged financial improprieties.
According to sources close to the investigation, the raid was part of a broader inquiry into suspected financial mismanagement at the club, including the alleged embezzlement of funds from player transfers and unauthorized expenditures by certain officials. While ZACC has yet to release a public statement outlining the scope of its investigation, insiders suggest the probe is centered on irregularities dating back several seasons.
In a carefully worded statement released Friday afternoon, Highlanders acknowledged the ZACC visit, confirming that documents and financial records were requested and handed over to the anti-graft body for inspection. The club insisted it is cooperating fully with investigators and reiterated its commitment to transparency and integrity in football governance.
“Highlanders Football Club confirms that representatives from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission visited our offices on Thursday, 17 July 2025, as part of their ongoing investigations,” the statement read. “We would like to assure our valued members, supporters, and stakeholders that the club is cooperating fully and will continue to provide all documentation required by the authorities.”
The timing of the raid has raised eyebrows, especially as it comes only three months after Highlanders initiated its own internal investigation into former CEO Brian Moyo. Moyo was accused of misappropriating approximately US$5,000 from club funds during his tenure. Though internal findings were never made public, the matter was reportedly referred to external authorities, setting the stage for possible state involvement.
Sources suggest the ZACC inquiry may have expanded beyond the Moyo case, with investigators now reportedly scrutinizing historical player transfers and sponsorship transactions. Allegations include the siphoning of transfer fees, inflation of supplier contracts, and a lack of proper financial reporting to the club’s general membership.
Highlanders FC Addresses ZACC Raid Amid Mismanagement Allegations
In light of these revelations, Highlanders Chairman Nhlanhla Dube emphasized that the club remains committed to cleaning house and strengthening internal governance.
“As a club, we have nothing to hide,” said Dube. “The institution of Highlanders is bigger than any individual, and we welcome efforts by law enforcement to promote accountability—not just within football, but across all national institutions. We are confident that we will emerge from this stronger.”
Dube also cautioned against premature judgments and misinformation spreading on social media, calling for patience while investigations run their course.
“The rule of law must be respected, and we ask our supporters to refrain from drawing conclusions until the proper authorities have completed their work,” he added.
The ZACC intervention has triggered mixed reactions among fans and analysts. Some see it as a much-needed step toward transparency in local football, where financial opacity has often gone unchallenged. Others worry that the probe could destabilize Highlanders mid-season, potentially affecting performance on the field.
“This couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said a former club administrator who declined to be named. “You want your players and technical team focused, but now everything is clouded by questions of financial misconduct and leadership failures.”
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that Highlanders had recently entered a new sponsorship deal, which may now come under scrutiny if any part of the agreement intersects with the allegations under investigation.
ZACC officials have remained tight-lipped about the case, neither confirming nor denying whether arrests are imminent or if other clubs are under similar probes. However, their presence at the Highlanders offices marks one of the highest-profile interventions by the anti-corruption body into sports administration in recent years.
In the meantime, Highlanders has vowed to maintain operational normalcy and continue participating in league fixtures as scheduled. The club has also committed to updating its members on significant developments as they arise.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to represent the aspirations of our community on and off the pitch,” the statement concluded.
As the dust settles and investigators dig deeper, all eyes will remain on Highlanders Football Club—an institution now tasked with proving that its legacy is not only one of sporting excellence but also of ethical leadership.
Source- iHarare
