Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari has reportedly gone three months unpaid amid delays in a sponsorship payment system.
Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari has reportedly gone three months without pay after a payment arrangement linked to club sponsor Wicknell Chivayo’s associates broke down. The development has raised fresh concerns over the structure of Highlanders’ US$1 million sponsorship deal for the 2026 season.
Mwaruwari, 47, took charge of the Bulawayo football club in January. Since his appointment, he has reportedly received only one salary payment while several other contractual obligations remain outstanding.
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Unmet obligations are said to include the provision of a mobile phone, a laptop, match bonuses and accommodation costs. The delays have added pressure to the former Zimbabwe international’s early months in charge of the club.
Reports say a tense meeting took place last week between Mwaruwari and Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla. The meeting reportedly ended without a solution after Mnkandla informed the coach that the club was not responsible for the payment delays.
The situation has drawn attention to the sponsorship arrangement involving businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Instead of funds being deposited directly into Highlanders’ bank account, payments are reportedly being routed through Chivayo’s lawyers and appointed curator Jabulani Nkomo.
Under the structure, Nkomo is said to control the timing of disbursements. A source familiar with the arrangement said the club is required each month to submit a note detailing amounts due to the coach, including performance-related bonuses.
According to the source, Nkomo would then issue instructions to Chivayo’s lawyer to process the payments. The source said the system now appears to have broken down, resulting in the current salary dispute.
Some club officials are reportedly unhappy with the arrangement. One unnamed official said Highlanders would prefer sponsorship funds to be held directly in the club’s own account so that management can meet obligations and maintain full audit accountability.
“We are grateful for the sponsorship,” the official reportedly said. “But the arrangement with Nkomo, who is the sponsor’s choice, is far from ideal.”
Mnkandla, Mwaruwari and Nkomo all reportedly declined to comment on the matter. No official statement had been released at the time of reporting regarding when the coach’s outstanding salary would be paid.
The salary issue comes during a difficult but unbeaten start for Mwaruwari in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season. Highlanders have drawn all seven of their league matches under his leadership so far.
The former Manchester City striker recently expressed frustration during a press conference, accusing unnamed officials of frustrating his work. He also raised concerns over delays in obtaining a work permit for Zambian forward Isaac Ngoma.
Ngoma eventually made his debut in last week’s draw against ZPC Kariba. The club has also since appointed Culvin Mavunga as performance analyst, addressing another issue previously raised by the coach.
The latest developments place further pressure on Highlanders management to resolve internal administrative challenges while supporting the technical team. Supporters will now watch closely to see whether the salary dispute is settled quickly as the season continues.
