adminThe charges emanate from soccer matches the senior national football team, the Warriors, played in Asia.
In May this year, the prosecution dropped six charges of match-fixing against Rushwaya, leaving her facing the charges of concealing transactions to a principal.
The charges were withdrawn before plea but can proceed by way of summons if the State finds solid evidence to warrant her prosecution.
Rushwaya, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Samukange and Mr Tafadzwa Hungwe of Venturas and Samukange yesterday, appeared before regional magistrate Ms
Esthere Chivasa who said she was seized with cases some of which involved minors who had to give evidence and go to school.
She asked the State to postpone the matter to another date and the matter was deferred to July 24.
Mr Samukange said they would not object to the postponement, saying although they were served with State papers last Friday, they were ready to proceed to trial.
Mr Oliver Marwa and Sidom Chinzete who appeared for the State said among those expected to give evidence first were former Warriors goalkeeper Energy
Murambadoro, former team manager Ernest Sibanda and Tendai Madzorera.
The three witnesses were warned to attend court on July 24.
The complainant in the matter is Zifa. The State alleges that during the period extending from October 28, 2007 and November 7 the same year, Rushwaya arranged and facilitated an international sporting tour for the Zimbabwe senior men soccer team to participate in the Agribank Cup in Vietnam.
The cup is an annual tournament organised by the Vietnam Football Association whose prize money is US$40 000. The Warriors played three games, losing the first 3-2 to Finland, two-nil to Vietnam and drawing nil-all with Uzbekistan.
The State says there was no prior authorisation of this trip by Zifa and preparation for the trip was ad-hoc and unplanned.
It is alleged that when Rushwaya arranged the trip she did not disclose to her principals or entities where its funding came from.
Those who travelled were informed that they would get US$100 as daily allowances, but got to learn that there was no money, it is alleged.
Rushwaya allegedly ended up sourcing money from friends and relatives and she only managed to pay US$200 out of the requisite US$1 000 for the 10 days they stayed in Vietnam.
The former Zifa chief executive is alleged to have promised to pay the outstanding allowances in Zimbabwe, but they have not been paid up to now.
Rushwaya is alleged to have travelled as the head of delegation in violation of Zifa’s rules and regulations.
She allegedly failed to produce invites from the Vietnam Football Association after reports of non-payment of allowances filtered from the press.
The State says some of the delegates were promised US$9 000 by betting syndicates for losing games.
It is alleged that betting syndicates funded further trips to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Oman, Jordan, Bulgaria, China, Thailand and Yemen between 2007 and 2010.
Online Reporter