BB boss in dilemma on way forward

Big Bullets FC acting chairperson Sadik Malinga has admitted that the club is in a state of confusion as regards leadership.

Malinga was responding to a question on how the club plans to map the way forward after weeks of infighting that culminated in the exit from the CAF Champions League last Sunday.

“I cannot say about our future plans because there is still confusion as regards leadership. The perception is that I have taken over from Mr. [Kondi] Msungama, but there is still no official communication from him. Besides that, there has also not been any proper handovers,” said Malinga.

He could also not say whether Harold Fote is still the club’s general secretary because there are contrasting statements about his position.

Two weeks ago, Msungama, Fote, Trust Nkhoma and  Dan Mbebuwa were given a six-hour deadline to quit or risk being expelled. Only Msungama bowed down to pressure and stepped down while the rest were ‘fired’.

“I think considering the current situation, there is need for the trustees to come forward and provide a solution,” he said.

However, Msungama yesterday said while he did not tender in his resignation letter, in principle he stepped down the day he publicly announced his resignation.

“The constitution is very clear that when the chairman resigns, his vice is supposed to take over and it is on that assumpion that I believe he [Malinga] has taken over.

“Nevertheless, I will call for a press briefing shortly where I will officially announce my resignation. My plans were to do that soon after the Al Hilal game, but it appeared people wanted me out sooner than I came. I will also take opportunity of the press conference to clear some issues because I have been ridiculed by some people, but I have not had a chance to respond,” said Msungama.

Commenting on the issue of handovers, Msungama said: “I would have been the first to initiate the handover process, but then how can that happen when some fans that were allegedly sent by the supporters committee ransacked the office and went away with office equipment and other items? By the way, the office was also sealed. So, I suggest the current leadership should take the first step towards that.”

He also offered to give Malinga and his team all the support, “because despite what happened, I remain a staunch Bullets supporter.”

On his part, Fote insisted that he is still the club’s GS.

“The constitution clearly stipulates how an elected member can be removed. We have to stop this practice of moving people from their positions unconstitutionally,” he said.

Article 5.7 (b) of the Bullets constitution stipulates that:“members may [also] request a meeting which must be held within 21 days from the date of requisition, in writing, signed by not less than one third of the paid-up members entitled to vote at such a meeting, specifying the object of the meeting or for any of the following purposes: (i) To recommend the removal from office of any board member and to fill the vacancies caused thereby.”

However, Bullets supporters committee GS Mabvuto Chibambo said whether Fote likes it or not, he is no longer GS of the club.

“It is true that the club has to be guided by the constitution, but it was Msungama, Fote and others who were violating the constitution by, among other things, refusing to call for an AGM [annual general meeting] and failing to produce audited accounts. So, why should they shift the goalsposts now?

“My plea to Fote is that he should honourably step down, or else we are keeping a lot of things about him under wraps that we are not exposing out of respect,” said Chibambo.

The club’s trustees chairperson James Busiley said as at now, they can still not intervene on the club’s operations until the injunctions that some supporters obtained restraining trustees from interfering with the running of the team is vacated.

“We are trying very hard to get the necessary documents so as to vacate the injunction and thereafter, we will to sort out the issue.

“We need to put the house in order as soon as possible and start focussing on the new season,” said Busiley.