The Harare Magistrates Court cleared Bernard Marriot Lusengo, the chairman of Dynamos Football Club (Pvt) Ltd, of charges related to fraudulently acquiring 51% of the club’s shares, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/marriot-wins-dembare-battle/">The Herald</a>.
Lusengo was acquitted of accusations that he corruptly obtained a majority shareholding and allocated shares to individuals who were not original members of the club.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, January 25, Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda said the complainants did not qualify as former players under the club’s 1963 constitution, which the complainants had sought to use as the basis for their case.
Dzuda also said none of the complainants were involved in the club’s formation in 1963. Furthermore, the court found no evidence to prove the amendments Lusengo made to the constitution, granting him ownership rights, were illegal. Said Dzuda:
<blockquote>
The State did not tender evidence to prove a charge of fraud against the accused person, therefore he is found not guilty and acquitted.
</blockquote>
The complainants, including former secretary-general Leslie Gwindi and ex-treasurer Eric Mvududu, accused Marriot of illegally seizing control of Dynamos in 2017. They claimed he assumed complete control, disregarding the club’s 1963 constitution.
The complainants, backed by former players and a shadow board led by ex-striker Esau Amisi, also accused Marriot of running the club unlawfully after dismantling the founding constitution.
They sought to have him found guilty of defying a 2005 Supreme Court order by Justice Luke Malaba, which directed Dynamos to return to its original constitution.
According to the 1963 constitution, founding members and early players were entitled to shares in the club. After the deaths of two complainants, David George and Ernest Kamba, the remaining ones were Gwindi, Mvududu, and Zuze.
However, Dzuda ruled that none of the complainants qualified as founding members or former players of Dynamos.
Marriot had argued that the complainants were not entitled to shares, as there was no longer a Board of Trustees.
He also claimed he was the sole surviving member of the club’s 1963 founders and that the 1963 constitution had been repealed at a general assembly meeting.
He added that no one, including the complainants, had challenged the formation of Dynamos Club Private Limited.

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In simple words, a man named Bernard Marriot Lusengo was accused of fraudulently taking control of a football club called Dynamos. However, the court said he was not guilty because the people who accused him were not original members of the club. They also could not prove that the changes he made to the club's rules were illegal. The people who accused him wanted him to follow the club's old rules from 1963, but the court said they were not allowed to do that. Marriot said he was the only surviving member from when the club was started and that the old rules no longer applied.

Marriot Triumphs In Battle For Control Of Dynamos

The Harare Magistrates Court is on Friday, January 31, set to deliver a verdict on the ongoing ownership dispute at Dynamos Football Club regarding Bernard Marriot-Lusengo’s 51 per cent shareholding claim, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/d-day-for-dembare-shareholding-wrangle/">The Herald</a>.
Marriot, the club’s board chairman and the last surviving founding member, has been engaged in a long-running battle with factions challenging his control of Dynamos Private Limited, the company that owns the Premiership team.
Former players Garikai Zuze, the late Ernest Kamba and David George, along with supporter Eric Mvududu, accuse Marriot of manipulating the club’s shareholding structure and unlawfully repealing Dynamos’ 1963 founding constitution.
The complainants allege Marriot manipulated the share register to secure a 51 per cent stake in Dynamos Private Limited, allocating shares to people not originally involved with the club.
They also claim Marriot is defying a 2005 Supreme Court order by Justice Luke Malaba, which instructed Dynamos to revert to the 1963 constitution, entitling founding members and players from the club’s early years to shares.
In his defence, Marriot testified that he is the last surviving member of the 20 people who founded Dynamos in 1963 and argued that the 1963 constitution included a provision for creating a company to own the club in the future.
He stated that the shares were meant for the founding players and those who played for the club in its early years.
Marriot’s lawyer, Herbert Mutasa, argued that in 1999, Dynamos Football Club Private Limited was formed, with Marriot and three other founding players subscribing to one share each.
Marriot also claimed the share distribution in 2017 was decided in a board meeting, not through his unilateral actions.
Two of the complainants, Kamba and George, passed away before the case was concluded. Marriot further argued that the remaining complainants, including Mvududu and Zuze, do not qualify as founding members or former players.
Earlier this week, Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda heard the state’s case against Marriot and deferred the ruling to today.
During cross-examination, the State, led by Dzidzai Josiah, presented a Supreme Court judgment confirming the club should operate according to the 1963 constitution, which entitles former players to one per cent of the shares.
The state also claimed Marriot held an extraordinary meeting without the complainants’ involvement and repealed the 1963 constitution.

The court will decide who owns 51% of Dynamos Football Club. Bernard Marriot-Lusengo is fighting to keep his share. Other players and a fan say Marriot is lying about who really deserves the shares. They say the club should follow the original rules from 1963. Marriot says he followed the rules. Some of the people against Marriot have died. The judge will give a decision soon. It's a big argument about who really owns the football club.

Court To Decide Fate Of Marriot’s 51% Stake In Dynamos

Dynamos board chairman Bernard Marriot was present at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday to witness his club’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Bikita Minerals.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/marriot-meets-dembare-fans/">The Herald</a>, Marriot engaged with some disgruntled Dynamos supporters who were openly critical of the team’s lacklustre performances this season.
The Glamour Boys have only managed to secure 6 wins out of their 21 matches played so far, leaving them trailing log leaders FC Platinum by a substantial 13 points.
In response to the growing fan unrest, on Tuesday, July 30, Marriot met with the leadership of the Dynamos supporters at the club’s training ground. He said:
<blockquote>
Dynamos is a prestigious institution. The business of the club is managed in terms of the company articles.
Its affairs are of public interest and legitimate subject of discussion, review, and debate by rank and file.
People are free to talk to me because I don’t want to be a board chairman who is not in touch with the club’s major stakeholders, who are the supporters.
I have weathered storms that I have faced at Dynamos. We are making efforts to bring back our pride as a club.
All I am saying is that without our passionate fans, we can’t have an institution which is as big as we have, Dynamos Football Club.
These are our major stakeholders and we take our hats off for them. So, on Sunday I gave them an ear and we talked at length.
We also visited the training ground yesterday where we also discussed important issues to do with the club.
I was pleased to see fans coming to me and talking about the team and the issues around it. I am very pleased because it’s always good to be talking to them regularly.
</blockquote>
Marriot appealed for patience with head coach Genesis Mangombe. He reminded the fans that Mangombe had previously led the club to victories in the Chibuku Super Cup and Independence Trophy, which he hoped would temper the growing discontent among the Dynamos faithful. Said Marriot:
<blockquote>
Although I am the board chairman, when I am at a match I am like any supporter or any other fan, I don’t know what the coaches would be thinking or deciding… it is their call to make.
All I am saying is that we should be patient with the coach. He has won us the Chibuku and Independence trophies.
Every team goes through bad patches.
I feel the coach should be given some more time. We can still win the title mathematically although that will need us to put in extra work.
We are also preparing for the CAF Confederation Cup which is coming in August.
So, we are saying let’s give Mangombe the chance to lead the team in the African Safari.
</blockquote>
Dynamos has since appointed banker Justice Mubayi as the acting treasurer after sacking Musa Gwasira last week.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dynamos board chairman Bernard Marriot met with upset fans at a game where his team tied. Fans are unhappy with the team's performance so far this season. Marriot reassured fans that the team is working hard to improve. He asked fans to be patient with the coach, who has won important trophies before. The team is still hopeful for success in upcoming matches. The team also changed their treasurer. Marriot promised to keep listening to fans and working to make the team better.

Dynamos Board Chairman Bernard Marriot Meets Fans

Dynamos treasurer Beadle Musa Gwasira insists he is still at the club despite reports suggesting that he was dismissed and the message was conveyed by the club’s bouncers.
<a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/gwasira-claims-hes-hes-still-dembares-treasurer-despite-reports-his-dismissal-was-delivered-by-club-bouncers/">H-Metro</a> reported sources on Tuesday as saying Gwasira had been replaced by Justice Mubaiwa who, until now, was just a member of the club’s executive committee.
But Gwasira told the publication that he was still the Dynamos treasurer and reports of his sacking were wide off the mark.
However, sources at the club told H-Metro that Gwasira was fired after falling out with the powerful Marriot family. Said the source:
<blockquote>
You should know that those who take the post of the Dynamos treasurer are always living on borrowed time and we can say that Beadle (Gwasira) actually stayed longer than was expected.
Issues to do with money are quite a sensitive thing at Dynamos because of the direct interest of the Marriot family in basically every cent which comes through the coffers.
The trust between Beadle and the Marriot family was broken when Marriot’s monthly salary, which includes his monthly DStv subscription, which he gets from the club, was revealed to the media.
Remember this is a club which hasn’t been paying the players their winning bonuses all season and still owes several players their signing-on fees.
The Marriot family felt it was embarrassing that the old man’s salary, and DStv subscription, were not only made public but had been paid religiously and they started a witch-hunt.
The fingers were pointed at the treasurer and while there was no evidence that he was the one to blame for the leaks, the damage had been done.
But, maybe, it was how he was dismissed, with the message being carried by the monyas (security staff) which was quite humiliating.
However, when you accept any leadership post at Dynamos you should always be prepared for such rough endings.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Dynamos is languishing in 7th position on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) table with 20 points, 11 behind leaders FC Platinum, after matchday 15.
Interestingly, DeMbare has only beaten the four clubs that were promoted to the PSL from Division One ahead of the 2024 season, that is, Bikita Minerals, TelOne, Arenel Movers, and Chegutu Pirates.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

I'm Still Dynamos Treasurer - Gwasira

Dynamos founding member, Bernard Marriot, is paid a monthly salary of US$1 090, which includes a US$90 DStv subscription, a report claims.
According to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/marriots-dembare-salary-revealed-strongman-gets-us1-090-a-month/">H-Metro</a>, Marriot’s net monthly salary is a tax-free US$1 000 payment, plus a US$90 payment, every month, to ensure his DStv subscription is fully paid for.
Marriot is the first, and only founding member of Dynamos, to get a monthly salary.
His salary comes from the club’s coffers because DeMbare’s agreement with Sakunda Holdings, who pay the salaries of their players and coaching staff, does cover his earnings.
While Dynamos’ highest-paid player gets US$1 800 a month, which dwarfs Marriot’s salary, concern has been raised as to why the other so-called seven shareholders, who are said to own the other 49 per cent of the shares at Dynamos (Pvt) Ltd, the company which owns the club, are getting nothing.
Marriot owns 51 per cent of the shares, which is being disputed in court, while the other seven shareholders have an equal share of seven per cent of the shares.
H-Metro reported sources as saying Marriot also get money from Dynamos’ other revenue streams such as commission which the club receives for selling policies of Nyaradzo Group. Said the source:
<blockquote>
The club uses its supporters’ chapters, spread across the country, to sell these policies and, in return, it gets a commission from Nyaradzo for the sales.
Some of the sales are in local currency and the other sales are in US dollars.
So, the commission fluctuates, every month, depending on the sales and this money is for the boss (Marriot).
You can try and do the calculations but it can be a significant amount during the good months.
You will see that this revenue is not reflected on the club’s books, even though commissions have been paid since the days when the club was using the Looks kit, because the revenue doesn’t belong to the club.
That’s the arrangement that is there, it’s all about the boss getting what he deserves from his club because it’s his property, right now, and he can do whatever he wants with it.
</blockquote>
Dynamos’ season has not gone according to plan as the club is trailing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders Manica Diamonds by 10 points.
DeMbare’s four wins from fourteen games, including one decided in the boardroom, have all come against promoted sides.
In 2021, Marriot was arrested for allegedly manipulating the club’s share register to gain control over Dynamos.
The accusation centred around irregularities in the club’s ownership structure and voting rights.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Dynamos "Strongman" Bernard Marriot's Salary Revealed

A Dynamos Football Club faction consisting of former club players and legends led by Ernest Kamba has rejected mediation efforts by the club’s principal sponsors Sakunda Holdings to resolve the long-standing ownership and shareholder dispute with board chairman Bernard Marriot Lusengo.
Sakunda Holdings, who are sponsoring Dynamos to the tune of close to US$1 million per season, last week approached Marriot and Kamba in a bid to bring them to the negotiating table and resolving the issues “amicably”.
The Dynamos ownership wrangel is currently being handled at the Harare Magistrate Courts.
Speaking to The Herald on Wednesday, Kamba said they were not prepared to take up the offer for mediation proposed by Sakunda Holdings. He said:
<blockquote>
Of course I received that letter which spoke about issues to do with Dynamos ownership and shareholding.
Unfortunately, we are not going to do anything about that (letter) because the Dynamos constitution is very clear on the shareholding.
There is also the Justice Malaba Judgement of 2006 which pointed us back to the 1963 constitution.
The constitution spells out clearly who owns Dynamos and the shareholding structure is explained in unambiguous terms.
</blockquote>
Kamba was elected chairman of a 10-member board of trustees that also has Sunday Chidzambwa, Eric Aisam, Cremio Mapfumo, David George, Moses Chunga, Clayton Munemo, Labani Kandi, Makwinji Soma-Phiri and Gina Kapfunde.
The group of former players have challenged Marriot’s claim of 51 percent shareholding in Dynamos.
Meanwhile, Marriot has long held that Dynamos ceased to be a community club via a resolution passed during the 1998 AGM.
Marriot maintains that things changed in 1999 when the original founding fathers, including him, registered a private company which now controls the club.
As the sole surviving members of Dynamos Football Club founders, Marriot has been chairman of the company’s board for the past few years.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/sakundas-dembare-mediation-hits-a-snag/">The Herald</a></h4>

Dynamos Faction Rejects Sakunda Mediation

Dynamos Football Club has expressed sorrow over the passing away of Zim dancehall artiste, Soul Jah Love, real name Soul Musaka, who died in Harare on Tuesday, after battling diabetes for some time. He was 31.
In a statement, Club board chairman Bernard Marriott said the late musician was an avid Dynamos supporter and an entertainer par excellence who left his mark in his chosen field of music. Said Marriot:
<blockquote>It is with a deep sense of shock, and sorrow, that we have learnt of the passing on of Soul Musaka, popularly known as Soul Jah Love, on Tuesday night.
Soul Jah Love was an ardent Dynamos Football Club supporter and even took time to compose some songs for his beloved DeMbare.
His death has robbed us of another member of the big Glamour Boys family. On behalf of the Dynamos board, executive, secretariat, coaches, players and supporters, I convey our sincere condolences to the Musaka family.
May you find comfort in the Lord, and take solace from the fact that, in the short period we had him with us on earth, Soul Jah Love made a mark in his chosen field of music, and was an entertainer par excellence.</blockquote>

Dynamos F.C. Mourns Soul Jah Love

Dynamos Football Club president Solomon Sanyamandwe has been sacked. Club Chairman Bernard Marriot swung the axe on Friday leading to Sanyamandwe’s reign coming to end.
However, the sacked president has hit back at the Dynamos Board, accusing it of making the move in order to hide the corruption at the club. Sanyamandwe said that he was sacked because he was about to expose the deep rot at the club. He said:
<blockquote>I was served with the letter in question yesterday. I might have played too close to the fire because of asking for an audit of the clubs finances, they do not want to expose the club because a lot is going on in the club.
It is very worrying that they do not want to do an audit and will fire anyone for it, the club has for a long time not had a functional bank account and it has been run as a tuck shop.</blockquote>
<h3>More: <a href="https://mailandtelegraph.com/2019/01/05/dembare-purges-sanyamandwe/">Mail and Telegraph</a></h3>

Sacked Dynamos President 'Was About To Spill The Beans On Massive Corruption At Club'

Dynamos board chairman, Bernard Marriot, has dismissed any chances of joining hands with a rebel faction led by Ernest Kamba, after the faction issued out a statement in which they appeared to be reaching out to Marriot and his group on Monday.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Marriot said Kamba and his team were not part of the club and were free to hold their own annual general meeting. He narrated how they parted ways with Kamba  in 2002 for holding illegal meetings. Marriot said Kamba’s faction should be glad that he is a reformed person, otherwise he could have beaten them for tampering with the people’s team.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/dynamos-board-chairman-snub-kamba-camp/">Chronicle</a>

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