Yanga file extension of time against trustees case ruling

Dar es Salaam. The leadership of Young Africans (Yanga) have filed for the extension of time at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court to review their case ruling that removes them along with their president, Hersi Saidi, from office.

This was said by Yanga legal director Simon Patrick, while clarifying the court's ruling made in August last year by the Kisutu Principal Resident Magistrate's Court.

Patrick said, aside from taking that step, the club will also submit a request for a review of the case filed by Juma Ally and Geofrey Mwaipopo against the Members of the Board of Trustees of the club under the constitution of 1968 and its amendment in 2011.

He said they had decided to take the decision because the matter was legal, especially considering that the time for a review and appeal had expired without them being informed and the leadership had not received a court summons.

The club legal director said they became aware of the existence of the case on June 16, at which time it was not possible for them to take any action due to lack of information.

"Apart from these two issues, the leadership will also officially file stay of execution as per ruling while announcing plans to take legal action, including filing a criminal case against Abeid Mohamed Abeid, whom they accuse of forging the signatures of Mama Fatuma Karume and Jabiri Katundu.

"We will also conduct a thorough investigation into identifying the members who were 'behind' the complainants, and if found, they will be brought before the club’s general meeting for further action," said Patrick.

He explained that they decided to take such five steps due to the sabotage against their club, as they also discovered that Juma Ally, Geofrey Mwaipopo, and Abeid Mohamed Abeid are not legitimate members of the club.

"After receiving the judgment, we requested the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court to conduct a quick perusal and discovered several issues, including trickery that was being used,” he said.

For his part, the registrar of clubs and sports associations, Evordy Kyando, said he had no official information regarding the Kisutu Court ruling against the leadership of Yanga.

Kyando explained that he had been following the matter through the media. “I have no comment on the issue because it is not officially known to me. I just read and listened to it through the media. I will look into my files to know its details. For now, I have no appropriate answer regarding this matter,” said Kyando.

The spokesperson for the Registration, Insolvency, and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), Jafari Malema, could not comment on the matter. He provided directions that information clarification services are offered by writing a letter and requesting a search of the trustees’ details, which is a payable service.

“You can also go to the respective club to request the current status of the trustees. Visit the RITA head office, and you will meet the relevant officials. For now, I am out of the region on official duties,” said Malema.

“Initially, the court summons was served to Abeid Mohamed Abeid, who identified himself as representing the other trustees and the club. Abeid had no objection to every point raised in court against the club's leadership," said Patrick.

The case was filed on August 4, 2022, whereby the complainants challenged the recognition of Yanga's Board of Trustees, which was established under the 2010 constitution, citing legal deficiencies.

In its judgment, the court ordered Yanga's Board of Trustees, under the 1968 constitution amended in 2011, to resume its duties of overseeing and managing the club's activities.

Moreover, the court decided that the Board of Trustees, under the 1968 constitution amended in 2011, prepare, convene, and facilitate a general meeting of club members for the purpose of electing new members of the Board of Trustees.

Currently, Yanga's Board of Trustees is chaired by George Mkuchika and includes members Mama Fatuma Karume, Mwigulu Nchemba, Tarimba Abbas, and Antony Mavunde.