Chronicle EditorSikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO
SPORT, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa has reacted angrily to the controversial suspension of ZIFA board member, Miriam Sibanda, saying it’s another sign that the country’s football leadership is bent on destroying, rather than building, the national game.
Langa has ordered the Sport and Recreation Commission to urgently investigate circumstances related to Sibanda’s suspension, and provide him with a report, to enable Government to make an informed decision on the never-ending squabbles within the country’s football leadership.
Sibanda was suspended last week, together with two board members — Ben Mamoshe and Edwin Magosvongwe — over a host of charges, including allegedly trying to overthrow a legitimately elected ZIFA president, trying to incite the Government to intervene in the running of football and, ultimately, leading to the country being banned by FIFA and questionable financial transactions.
She was also accused of attacking Mashingaidze, ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube and the Association’s technical director Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe.
Despite the controversy surrounding the status of the Zimbabwe Women Football Council, which pronounced the suspension on Sibanda and her two board members, Mashingaidze quickly endorsed the sanctions, in a letter to the Sports Commission last week, saying the ZIFA board member would now be dragged before the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee.
Online Reporter