BULAWAYO – Businessman Wicknell Chivayo says he will release a further US$250,000 to Highlanders this week despite growing concerns over financial accountability at the club.

Chivayo is the Bulawayo giants’ main sponsor after pledging US$1 million towards the club’s 2026 season.

But he told ZimLive on Monday that he was frustrated by what he described as a lack of transparency over how his money was being used.

“I gave them money for a perimeter wall around the clubhouse, but they started abusing it,” Chivayo said.

“Instead of building, they gave each other contracts and spent it however they liked. They did not give me an account of how the money was being used.”

Chivayo said he was also shocked to learn that Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari had allegedly gone more than six months without receiving his salary.

“I gave them the full salary for Benjy, one-year salary in advance. I put it in the trust account. Why isn’t Benjy being paid when I gave them that money a year in advance?”

He said his sponsorship came with an expectation that the money would be properly accounted for.

“Where my money is being spent, there must be satisfactory explanations and proper justification, not confusion or any discord,” Chivayo said.

“If I am not satisfied, I reserve the right to pull the plug without notice. Voluntary sponsorship must never become an entitlement. With the greatest respect, I don’t owe anyone anything.”

Highlanders have been caught up in a cycle of player strikes and threats of industrial action over unpaid salaries and bonuses.

Despite his concerns, Chivayo said he had agreed to release more money following an intervention by a senior politician from Matabeleland whom he did not name.

“It was only last week, following the intervention of a senior politician from Matabeleland whom I hold in the highest regard, that I agreed to release a further US$250,000 this week towards Highlanders,” he said.

“My support for football and charity work remains unwavering, but financial support must always be accompanied by order, responsibility and results.”

Highlanders had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication.

But a source familiar with the club’s financial arrangements disputed Chivayo’s version, saying the money had never been paid directly to Highlanders.

“Highlanders has never received money directly from the sponsor. The money goes into a trust account which is managed by the sponsor’s point person, Jabulani Nkomo, and his chosen law firm,” the source said.

“If the sponsor wants to know what happened to the money for the wall, he should ask Jabu. If he wants to know what happened to Benjy’s money, he should ask Jabu.

“If the sponsor wants Highlanders to account, he should give the money directly to the club. As it stands, only Jabu can tell him where the money has gone.”