Dlamini forced out of Gunners
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday November 24, 2015 15:19
Club spokersperson, Keorapetse Kgasa confirmed Dlamini’s abrupt departure after supporters reportedly made threatening calls to him and his family.
“Some unscrupulous elements went to the extent of calling Dlamini’s family and the situation was unhealthy,” Kgasa said. “It was now affecting his family and he saw that the only way was to resign.”
He is worried that there is a developing culture of violence at Gunners where those who disagree with the executive resort to unruly ways of sending their message across.
“There are some radical fans who will not hesitate to tarnish the image of the organisation. They just wanted to see Dlamini out. Where you come through elections, there are always opposing camps. So the opposing side will do whatever it takes, even if it means tarnishing the image of the club,” he said.
Kgasa urged the Gunners family to remain patient and allow the management to do its work in the face of reported heightened factional fighting and the team’s poor run. “If we continue this way, we will never have any committee finish its term,” Kgasa said.
Gunners started the season well; winning their first three encounters before fizzling badly after dismissing the then coach, Keitumetse ‘Pio’ Paul. Boardroom fights have been blamed for the team’s deteriorating performance which has seen the side string together a barren run of 10 games without a win.
Dlamini’s committee came into office in 2013 and raised expectations after announcing a P2 million deal with the Cassim family.
After Dlamini’s departure, Oduetse Langwane will act as chairperson. The Gunners constitution empowers the committee to co-opt in the event of a vacancy.
Dlamini was unavailable for comment at press time.