The legal fight over  Dulibadzimu United FC's Annual General Meeting has taken a new twist after the applicant and vice chairman, Rex Tumelo Mphisa, filed a withdrawal affidavit at the local courts.

The Beitbridge-based side, which competes in the Central Region Soccer League and is currently trailing in the relegation zone, has been dealing with off field governance issues while also trying to improve its fortunes on the pitch.

The controversy began when the club's AGM, which had been scheduled for June 4 at Canvas Corner in Skeem Beit, was cancelled after Mphisa obtained a court injunction.

Breaking his silence after the postponement, Mphisa said his action was not meant to stop the AGM but to demand transparency and accountability in the running of the club.

"My name is Rex Tumelo Mphisa, a vice chairperson of Dulibadzimu United FC. It will be common knowledge by now I sought a court order to stop an AGM of this esteemed team," said Mphisa.

"Hear from me why I stopped the AGM, and why I took it upon myself to do this. The team belongs to everyone, not a tuckshop."

Mphisa, who also heads the club's disciplinary committee, said he had been with the club for years and was moved to act after seeing a few individuals run the team like a private business.

"I have been with this team for years and have seen a lot. It is loved, it is the Beitbridge district pride, it is spoken in every home, it is Beitbridge's own. But some operated it like a private company and I had to take a stance as head of disciplinary issues in the team," he said.

"This is not stopping the AGM, no, it's demanding that an AGM of a team of such a magnitude partly sponsored by the Municipality of Beitbridge cannot be operated like someone's tuckshop. The people of Beitbridge must be informed fully of all developments which is what I am humbly requesting."

He also called for a properly advertised elective AGM where all members would be free to participate.

"Beitbridge is too big a place to have two or three minds taking the whole community for granted. Soccer is meant to unite, build, some are using it to divide and ruin a community," he said.

"A properly advertised elective AGM is the way to go. Not to bundle a few cronies and dispense an election. That's fraudulent! Everyone must, without fear, take part in this election when it is finally announced."

However, the dispute has since taken another turn after Mphisa signed an affidavit withdrawing the matter against club officials Chris Magwali, Mandla Moyo and Dulibadzimu United FC.

In the affidavit, Mphisa said he had withdrawn the case to allow all parties to follow FIFA rules for settling football disputes.

Despite different versions on what transpired in court, both Mphisa and the club now agree that football matters should be handled through football structures rather than civil courts.

In its statement, Dulibadzimu United welcomed the outcome, saying it was relieved because taking football disputes to civil courts without exhausting internal procedures could expose clubs to FIFA sanctions.

Plans are now underway to set a new date for the AGM as the club seeks to resolve its governance issues. Meanwhile, attention has shifted back to football, with Dulibadzimu United preparing for Match Day 12 at home against Matobo as they fight to move away from the Central Region Soccer League relegation zone.