Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
ZIFA have moved to douse the flames surrounding the Centralgate saga, appointing a four-member commission of inquiry to investigate the drama behind Sheasham FC’s shock withdrawal from the Central Region Soccer League (CRSL) two weeks ago.
The football mother body confirmed the development in a statement, saying the committee’s task is to “establish facts, assess procedural compliance, and recommend measures to strengthen fairness, integrity, and transparency within league management.”
The commission will be chaired by legal and governance expert Ringisai Kudzanai Hillario Mapondera.
He will be joined by Lupane State University athletics director Jabulani Mpofu, Zimbabwe Volleyball Association vice-president (Technical and Development) Morelet S. Mathema, and former referee Andrew Pamire.
ZIFA gave the team seven working days to table a comprehensive report on what has been dubbed Centralgate, a scandal that has thrown the lower league into turmoil.
According to ZIFA, the committee’s key tasks are to:
• “Investigate the circumstances surrounding Sheasham FC’s withdrawal from the ZCRSL, including any related complaints,”
• “Determine whether Sheasham FC exhausted all internal remedies available under ZIFA statutes,”
• “Assess the response of the ZCRSL to any complaints lodged by Sheasham FC,”
• And “submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the ZIFA Executive Committee.”
The Construction Boys, as Sheasham are fondly known, had dramatically pulled out of the league, crying foul over alleged bias towards Kwekwe-based log leaders, Hard Rock FC.
However, ZIFA overruled the Central Region’s acceptance of the withdrawal, insisting Sheasham remained a league member and urging calm and dialogue.
Showing grit after the saga, Sheasham made a statement on their return, thrashing Dulibadzimu United 4-0 at Bata Stadium last Saturday.
This weekend, they travel to Gwanda to face ZRP, while Hard Rock lock horns with Grain Tigers in a Kwekwe derby at Mbizo Stadium.
