admin
Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIFA appear to have put themselves on a collision course with Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa and the Sports Commission after the association’s chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze, endorsed the controversial suspension of women football leader Miriam Sibanda.
Langa was reported to be fuming last night, over the latest developments, and is expected to issue a statement on the matter today.
His deputy, Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, has already slammed the move to suspend Sibanda at a controversial indaba held in Harare on Monday.
Sports Commission director-general, Charles Nhemachena was also not amused.
“The minister is not happy with what has just happened and he is in Bulawayo tomorrow (today) and a statement is expected from him,” sources said yesterday.
“The Sports Commission also feel that this has gone just too far and there could be some dramatic developments, if not repercussions.”
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Langa were fruitless last night.
Nhemachena told our sister newspaper, Chronicle, on Wednesday that ZIFA had virtually collapsed after the football controlling body failed to hold their Annual General Meeting that had been scheduled for tomorrow.
“Failing to have an AGM isn’t in conformity with the principles of corporate governance and it’s a serious indictment on those steering the ship,” Nhemachena.
“Doing so all but confirms the collapse of an organisation. We can’t continue to proceed in this manner.”
Yesterday, Nhemachena said he had not yet seen the letter sent to him by Mashingaidze endorsing Sibanda’s suspension.
However, he said it was unfortunate that associations spend time on petty issues instead of ensuring that they uphold what they were elected to do, which is to run the associations effectively.
“These associations need to be active, each member of the association must be committed to running their association effectively,” said Nhemachena.
“They are supposed to make sure their institutions are running properly.
“There are a lot of issues that have been said about the way ZIFA are running their affairs. Unfortunately, it’s one association whose members are not showing the expected commitment to ensure their association is running properly and able to deliver what is expected.
“Generally, all associations should aim to be a pride of their nation because of how they run their affairs.”
Mashingaidze endorsed Sibanda’s suspension in a letter copied to ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube, vice-president Omega Sibanda and the board members.
However, the ZIFA chief executive said Sibanda was suspended on May 20 this year, about a month from now.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association hereby informs your esteemed office and person that the Zimbabwe Women Football League Assembly suspended three (3) members of their national executive committee, following a meeting held on Monday 20th May 2015 in Harare,” wrote Mashingaidze.
“The suspended members comprise the following:
1. Mrs Miriam Sibanda.
2. Mr Benny Mamoche.
3. Mr Edwin Magosvongwe.
“The suspension of the trio arose out of allegations of conduct which brought football into disrepute. The Zimbabwe Women Football League Assembly has referred the three (3) members’ cases to the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee.
“The association will update you on the developments.”
Online Reporter