adminZvikomborero Parafini
INVESTIGATIONS have been finalised in the fraud matter involving former ZIFA board members.
The State is in the final lap of perusing the docket to furnish a trial date, a Harare court heard yesterday.
Prosecutor Tonderai Dzivakwi told the court, in his application, for a postponement.
Former ZIFA president, Felton Kamambo, appeared together with his counterparts — Philemon Machana, Stanley Chapeta and Bryton Malandule — as well as ZIFA CEO Joseph Mamutse.
In response to the application, their lawyer, Admire Rubaya, said it was hard to believe that the State had the docket because, in the previous hearing, they told the court it had been returned to the police for certain verifications.
“It’s very difficult to believe what they are saying. If the docket is here, that would be the first time in history where there’s rapid progress by the State. They ought to show me the docket,” said Rubaya.
Allegations are that on November 16, 2021, the SRC suspended the entire ZIFA executive committee for gross incompetence, and misappropriation of the association’s funds.
The suspension stripped them of authority to transact any business on behalf of ZIFA, whether orally or in writing.
It is the State’s case that between January 2022 and February 2, they acted in connivance and issued various letters on ZIFA letterheads, purporting to be ZIFA executive committee members.
The letters were signed by Mamutse and addressed to various members of the ZIFA Congress, suspending them from their positions. As a result of the suspension, the ZIFA Congress members were incapacitated and unable to execute their tasks on behalf of ZIFA.
The matter was remanded to September 13.
Online Reporter