adminZvikomborero Parafini
THE suspended ZIFA executive was back in court last Friday for trial continuation in the matter they are being accused of fraud.
The matter was, however, remanded to April 14, since their lawyer was unavailable.
The trial opened last month.
Former ZIFA president, Felton Kamambo, appeared together with his alleged accomplices Philemon Machana, Stanley Chapeta, Joseph Mamutse and Bryton Malandule before trial magistrate Taurai Manuwere.
All five, represented by Admire Rubaya, denied the allegations and challenged the State to prove, as a matter of fact, that they were validly and lawfully suspended as members of the ZIFA executive.
They told the court that they challenge the State to prove, as a matter of fact, that they made misrepresentations on behalf of the association.
They denied ever authoring the suspension letters.
They also said this case is a clear case of abuse of the criminal justice system by the members of the Sports Commission.
They further accused the SRC of concocting the allegations because they want the country to be banned from playing international football on the basis of interfering with the ZIFA administration.
Allegations are that on 16 November 2021, the SRC suspended the entire executive committee for gross incompetence and misappropriation of the association’s funds.
The legal consequence of the suspension of the Executive Committee is that they have no authority whatsoever to transact any business on behalf of ZIFA, whether orally or in writing.
After the suspension, and during the period between January 2022 and February, 2 2022, the accused persons wrote various letters on the ZIFA letterhead purporting to be ZIFA executive committee members.
Oscar Madhume appeared for the State.
Online Reporter