THE BATTLE for the soul of Moroka Swallows has intensified.
A minority shareholder of the Birds, Charles Makhubo, and director Sipho Xulu are involved in a squabble over the affiliation fee the club has paid to campaign in the ABC Motsepe League.
Both claim to have paid the R10 000 affiliation fee to register the club with Safa.
Said Makhubo: “I took the money from my own pocket to ensure the club gets registered.
“When Sipho learnt I had paid, he jumped in as if he is the owner of the club.
“We are trying to rebuild the team from scratch and he must stay away – or we will fight this time. He was part of management when the club got relegated twice. What is it that he will do this time?”
Makhubo said he was one of the interim bosses, which also include Godfrey Gxowa, Sam Maja, George Ledwaba and Peter Modise. They have vowed to help the club return to the PSL.
“The club is under new management now, not under the old regime that saw the club relegated twice. We have given the names of those who will run the club to Safa. It disturbs me that people have tarnished the name of the club, as if they did so much better.
“They ran Swallows like a stokvel.”
He revealed that they were trying to come up with a solution to resolve the issue of unpaid player and coaching salaries.
He went on: “It’s sad that some have lost their cars, homes and other valuables. This nonsense stops here and now. We are tired of being taken for granted.”
Makhubo told SunSport that Birds legends Andries Mpondo, Joel “Ace” Mnini and Ben Zwane would be in charge of the club on an interim basis.
“We have engaged Kenny Ndlazi to help get the club promoted to the NFD and the three legends will be in charge until negotiations are concluded,” explained Makhubo.
Xulu told SunSport that HE paid the affiliation fee via internet banking and also represented the club during a meeting with Safa a fortnight ago.
“I paid the amount required to register the club in the ABC Motsepe League and am not aware of any payment arrangement made except those done by the club. I represented Swallows, Makhubo was there in his personal capacity, not as a member.”
Safa official Jeff Monnakgotla said: “I won’t know who paid until I check with our finance department.
“I am currently in Cape Town and will return to Joburg on Thursday (today).”
