Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Zifa executive committee member Felton Kamambo who was suspended from all football activities for three years, has written to the Zifa Electoral Committee seeking an extension of the nomination process deadline alleging he was denied the forms by the association’s secretariat.
Kamambo was suspended for three years in April this year for allegedly seeking sexual favours from Mighty Warriors’ players and the case was reported to the police for further investigations.
“Pursuit to your resignation letter dated March 28, 2018, the executive committee of Zifa met to consider your position. It was noted that your purported resignation is at law not legally valid as you had actually ceased to attend three board meetings without being excused.
“Further, the extremely serious reports of abuse of office for seeking sexual favours from orphaned and vulnerable members of the Mighty Warriors are subject of investigation. Consequently, the executive committee resolved to provisionally suspend you from association football activities for a period of three years.
“You can participate in association football after confirmation of your full rehabilitation and clearance by the law enforcement agencies and association,” reads the Zifa suspension letter signed by chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse on April 19.
However, on Tuesday Kamambo, who is said to be eyeing the Zifa presidency, still went to the Zifa offices to pick up nomination forms, but was not given since only the secretary of the electoral committee Mamutse can hand them out and he is presently attending a Caf workshop in Namibia. He is only expected back in the country at the end of this week, while the nomination process closes on October 30.
In a letter addressed to the electoral committee chairman Vusi Vuma, Kamambo said he was advised by the Zifa secretariat that the forms were not yet ready before being told that the forms had all been distributed.
“On 16th October, 2018, the writer went to the Zifa offices and was advised that the forms are not yet ready. On the 22nd of October another prospective candidate went to the Zifa offices and was told that the nomination forms were not available as they had all been distributed. In fact, that candidate was advised that it was no longer possible to contest the election,” said Kamambo.
“The writer went back to Zifa offices on the 23rd of October and was advised that the forms were not yet available. It is our humble request that the committee intervenes to assist in the nomination process.
“We feel the secretariat is not handling the issue properly and is acting in a manner prejudicial to other prospective candidates. We are being denied the right to access nomination forms. We are of the firm view that the nomination should not have been opened in the event that the forms were not readily available.
“We therefore request an extension of the nomination period to run from the date the forms are made available. This misinformation emanating from the Zifa secretariat is also a cause for concern as it only brings uncertainty in the whole election process and is meant to shut the door for other prospective candidates,” Kamambo wrote.
The Zifa executive committee elections are set for December 1.
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