Wanderers executive member resigns over fan’s threats

Barely two days after being elected as Mighty Wanderers executive committee member, Patrick Tsonga has resigned following alleged threats from one of the club’s zonal leaders (name withheld).

Tsonga confirmed the information The Nation obtained that he resigned on Tuesday after being shocked by the supporter’s alleged threats. He said the threats included having his car smashed if he could not comply with the supporter’s demand to repay him for campaigning for his election.

Following the development, the team’s executive committee had a meeting with Tsonga yesterday where he was expected to explain why he had resigned

“I could not believe my ears when this guy called me demanding that I should return the favour for his alleged contribution towards my election into the executive committee,” said Tsonga.

“In his [supporter’s] own words, he said: ‘Ndinayishoshatu kuti mulowe ndiye mukuyenera kundiganizira kenakake, kapena mundilipilire licence.’  Tsonga said he was surprised by the alleged demand because at no time did he seek any assistance from him prior to the elections.

Tsonga, who was joining football administration for the first time, said he immediately reported the matter to the electoral college secretary Henry Chibowa, who said it was not an issue to be taken lightly.

Tsonga said Chibowa promised to take up the matter with the board of trustees.

He said the new vibrant executive committee has a huge task to change the attitude of some fans who believe members of the executive committee are there for their personal interests and not to run the club.

“Prior to the elections, some people tried to discourage me not to contest, citing the unfortunate conduct of some fans, but I ignored them because I felt with the enforcing of the membership drive, we would only have people that have progressive minds, but it would seem I got it wrong,” he said.

But the supporter in question yesterday denied issuing any threats to Tsonga, but he insisted that he drummed up support for Tsonga.

“It is not true that I threatened him, let alone phoned him. It could have been someone disguising as me. Of course, there are some people who appreciate in a special way when you have done something good for them like campaigning, but nothing of that sort happened between me and Mr. Tsonga,” he said.

When informed that the number that registered on Tsonga’s mobile phone was his, the supporter said it could have been that somebody else used it without his knowledge.

Nomads chairperson George Chamangwana confirmed that the issue is being looked into.

“We have been informed about what happened and we are going to take stern action.

“People offer their services for the betterment of the team, in particular the welfare of the players, but they are discouraged by such misguided individuals,” said Chamangwana.

Ironically, two weeks ago, Big Bullets chairperson Kondi Msungama and treasurer Noel Lipipa found themselves in a more or less similar situation after they had just been ushered into office.

Msungama complained about a fan who phoned him in the wee hours asking for financial assistance towards the funeral of his uncle.

“Yes, in times of bereavement we are supposed to assist one another, but should I be assisting every Jim and Jack just because I am the chairperson? If it were a player or an official, I would have understood, but certainly not a mere fan. That is supposed to be a personal matter.

“It is such attitude that put people off from assisting clubs,” said Msungama.

A group of supporters is also reported to have gone to Lipipa’s office where they demanded to see him, but when the receptionist informed them that he was attending a meeting, the fans started hurling insults as they left the premises.