The Harare Basketball Association (HBA) has expelled 10 of its top teams from the league after they failed to pay affiliation fees on time, The Sunday Mail has learnt.

According to a notice sent out by the HBA secretary-general, Charmaine Chamboko, the decision was reached after repeated deliberations by the association and was implemented in line with the constitution.

“In accordance to Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the constitution the HBA has decided to expel the 10 teams from the league after they failed to pay up their subscription fees of US$100 to the association.

“The teams are Air Force Falcons, Faithwear Jammers, Assassins, Black Rhinos, Hawks (all A League teams), Lakers, Las Models, Mbare Vets, Platinum Ballers and Richwood.

“These teams may now only apply to register with the association for the 2012-13 season and they will have to join the ‘B’ leagues then. Teams will   only be accepted once they have cleared all their outstanding debts,” read the notice.

As for the fate of the players of the aforementioned teams, they are eligible to apply to the HBA for a special transfer by March 18.

HBA president Gilchrist Mageza confirmed the decision by the association and shed more light on the expulsion

“Since we do not yet have a substantive sponsor we have been surviving on this money to pay the mandatory weekly expenses like referee and venue payments.

“However, that money has since run out as we still have numerous teams that were still to pay up their outstanding debts or full subscriptions.

“We then sat down for deliberations, since most of the fully paid-up teams were beginning to complain, and sought answers from the constitution which has articles that deal with these matters,” he said.