Harare giants Dynamos FC are facing a fresh crisis after their media officer, Chioniso Mashakada, was mysteriously barred from traveling with the team to their recent match against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

Sources close to the team have revealed that the decision to sideline Mashakada was made at the behest of board chairman Bernard Marriot Lusengo’s wife, who is allegedly seeking to replace her with her daughter, Mercy Lusengo. The move has raised eyebrows, as Mercy Lusengo is not qualified for the position.

Mashakada, who has been managing the team’s social media pages since 2021, has been credited with revamping the team’s online presence and has done an commendable job. Her sudden exclusion from team activities has sparked outrage among fans and former players, who have rallied behind her.

Former Dynamos captain Justice Majabvi, who is now president of the Footballers Ambassadors of Zimbabwe, has slammed the move as “absurd” and “ridiculous.” Majabvi questioned the logic behind replacing a competent media officer with someone who lacks the necessary qualifications.

The controversy has left the team’s executive in a tricky situation, as Mashakada has a running contract with Dynamos that expires next year. The team would need to pay off her contract to terminate her services, which is reportedly not feasible. Moreover, Mashakada possesses all the passwords for the team’s social media pages, making it difficult for the executive to force her out.

Efforts to reach Dynamos chairman Moses Mainganidze for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered.

The development has added to the woes of the troubled Harare giants, who are already grappling with poor results on the field and fan unrest. The team’s management has been accused of poor decision-making and a lack of transparency, which has led to a decline in the team’s fortunes in recent years.