(Last Updated on February 7, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – SOCCER legend Peter Ndlovu is obsessed with naked women and used to bring photos of naked and semi naked women to the training sessions and would use foul language towards the technical staff, the High Court heard yesterday.
Testifying before Justice Mary-Zimba Dube, Twalumba Group Executive Chairman, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda revealed this in the matter in the civil case in which Peter is claiming US$55 000 from Twalumba Holdings as signing on fees for joining Highfield United.
Dr Sibanda said they had to terminate their agreement with Peter as he was now bringing the name of the company into disrepute.
Asked by his lawyer, Pardon Makuwaza of Sinyoro and Partners why they had terminated the agreement, Dr Sibanda said there were some reports which they heard which were not good.
“Well like I said before, Peter is my brother and I did not want to fight him in court, but there were some allegations by the technical team which were revealed to us that he was tarnishing the brand.
“Peter still remains my brother… but we heard that he was bringing a sizeable number of printed photographs of naked and semi naked women to the training sessions,” revealed Dr Sibanda.
It was added that he was using bad language to the technical staff. The witness added that Peter’s behaviour was bringing the name of the company (Twalumba Holdings) into disrepute as they at that time were sponsoring Black Mambas Football Club.
Peter’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners however objected saying the allegations were tarnishing the image of his client, adding that plaintiff had also denied those allegations.
Twalumba Holdings lawyer Makuwaza however submitted that the evidence was already on record as the allegations were on the letter terminating Peter’s contract.
Dr Sibanda also told the court that there was no time he had refused to engage Peter, adding that sometime in June 2010 to December 2010, he invested heavily in the player as he (Peter) had “hit hard times”. “I invested a lot in him even when he was not doing anything for my company.
“I testify again that he did not sign a soccer contract with us. Also Peter should have known the proper channel to follow if he had a dispute with us because according to the ZIFA statutes, football matters should not be brought to court.
“I have invested more than the US$55 000 he is claiming from us, it’s not like we are refusing to pay the money because it is too much, no, but because he did not meet his end of the bargain,” testified Dr Sibanda.
The witness said apart from playing soccer, Peter had to assist in the organising of his testimonial match and also to be a brand ambassador for Twalumba Holdings.
Justice Dube then asked Dr Sibanda if he had tried to resolve the matter with Peter and he answered, “I have tried on many occasions, at one time when you are talking with him you think you understand each other but he just changes.”
“It’s unAfrican that I have to come to court and fight my own brother, I’m testifying grudgingly, it’s a very sad issue,” said Dr Sibanda.
Peter’s lawyer Nkomo however argued that the defendant had agreed to some other clauses of the agreement with Peter but was denying the part where they had to pay the US$55 000 signing on fees.
The plaintiff’s (Peter) lawyer also argued that Highfield United had loaned Peter to Black Mambas because he was their player but Dr Sibanda argued saying they only cleared him because of the business arrangement they had with him.
Next witness to be called by the defendant’s lawyer was Andrew Javachava, ZIFA Northern Region Division 1 Administrator. Javachava told the court that Peter was not registered with their league, also adding that no player could be registered without a contract with a club.
Both the plaintiff and defendant have closed their cases and Justice Dube has reserved the judgment for the matter.