The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has suspended the Felton Kamambo-led ZIFA Board with immediate effect.
In a statement this Tuesday, the SRC, which is led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son-in-law Gerald Mlotshwa, accused the ZIFA Board of gross incompetence in the governance and management of football in Zimbabwe.
Among other things, the SRC accused the ZIFA Board of failure to account fully for the use of public funds in the aftermath of the 2019 AFCON campaign as well as the latter’s failure to probe alleged sexual harassment of female referees by key technical staff within ZIFA.
Below is the full statement by the SRC announcing the suspension of the ZIFA Board:
SUSPENSION OF THE CURRENT ZIFA BOARD
The Sports and Recreation Commission (“SRC”) hereby informs the public that upon extensive consultations and further deliberations on matters relating to the governance and management of football in Zimbabwe, the SRC Board has with immediate effect suspended the ZIFA Board in accordance with the Sports & Recreation Act.
This decision has been considered following several incidences of gross incompetence on the part of ZIFA, such conduct and/or omissions being contrary to the national interest, as provided for in terms of Section 30 (1) (c) of the SRC Act.
For purposes of clarity, Section 30 of the SRC Act states that
(1) Where the Board considers that any registered national association
(c) has conducted itself in a manner which is contrary to national interest; the Board may, after affording the association concerned an opportunity of making representations in the matter, do either or both of the following:
(i) Suspend all or
(ii) any of its officers;
The following are some of the non-exhaustive examples, many of which are already in the public domain, that have resulted in this suspension:
1. Mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds with specific reference to the letter issued to ZIFA on the 3rd of July 2019 where ZIFA was asked to account fully for the use of public funds in the aftermath of the 2019 AFCON campaign. This letter has not been responded to at all.
2. The sending of national teams outside of Zimbabwe without COVID-19 clearances from the SRC;
3. The SRC is also in receipt of a report of alleged sexual harassment of female referees by key technical staff within ZIFA. Despite several requests for the matter to be decisively dealt with, ZIFA did not give the matter adequate attention in view of its gravity. Whereas the nation has made significant strides in empowering the girl child to be an active participant in sports, incidences of sexual harassment should be conclusively dealt with to enable a conducive environment for participation by all.
4. Failure to address gender imbalances relating to the treatment of female national teams compared to their male counterparts in terms of allowances, up-keep and unfavorable operating conditions.
5. Failure to address and make appropriate investment of the development fund as provided by FIFA for grassroot and junior football development.
6. No evidence of any meaningful development at grassroot level
7. A looming constitutional crisis within ZIFA viz pending elections.