Nomads clubhouse sealed over property rates
It doesn’t rain but pours for Be Forward Wanderers FC as their clubhouse was sealed on Monday by Blantyre City Council (BCC) over outstanding property rates.
The club is one of the Nomads’ revenue sources following the termination of their sponsorship contract with Japanese reconditioned motor-vehicle dealers Be Forward Limited last December.
BCC public relations manager Anthony Kasunda confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
“The clubhouse was indeed sealed due to accumulated property rates and it was time to seal the place in line with our procedures.
“But we had a payment arrangement discussion with them and we have agreed on the terms. So, it will be reopened today [yesterday],” said Kasunda.
Wanderers supporters’ committee chairperson Mervin Nkunika, who is in the committee which runs the club, attributed the development to change of leadership at the club.
“There was a communication breakdown after our administrator [Stevie Palemeza] had travelled to the North and this coincided with the resignation of some key officials in the executive.
“But we are running up and down to have both the bar and the restaurant re-opened because the proceeds go towards operations of the team,” he said.
The club’s immediate-past chairperson Simon Sikwese said the issue of property rates arrears has been there for some time.
“So, the agreement with BCC was that we would be paying through instalments and I am sure the interim committee will take it up and negotiate with the council,” he said.
