dyton mupawaenda
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
After years of whispers, petitions, and public outcry, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has finally acknowledged the deep rot within the Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) — and has begun taking formal steps to address it.
In a dramatic turn of events, the SRC convened a high-level Netball Indaba in Harare yesterday — a closed-door intervention prompted by mounting pressure from clubs, athletes, sponsors, and the media, including a string of damning exposés published by Zimpapers Sports Hub.
The long-overdue meeting brought together ZINA executives, Premier Netball League and Rainbow League administrators, sponsors including Nedbank Zimbabwe, and both former and current players. It marked the first time in years that key netball stakeholders were granted a direct platform to confront the governing body — and they did not hold back.
“For too long, we were stuck,” said one club administrator who attended the indaba. “We didn’t know who to approach anymore. But at least now, someone is listening. Even though time was short, we finally spoke up.”
At the heart of the grievances was ZINA’s alleged neglect of athletes — despite being bankrolled by Nedbank Zimbabwe, who cover everything from kits and accommodation to travel and player allowances.
Stakeholders presented evidence of injured national team players being left to fend for themselves, with clubs forced to foot hefty medical bills. Among the cases raised were those of star shooter Nicole Muzanenhamo and Thandekile Mahlangu, both of whom suffered serious injuries on national duty but received no support from the association.
Further still, stakeholders questioned the legality of ZINA’s leadership structure — notably, the two-decade tenure of president Leticia Chipandu — and highlighted alleged constitutional breaches and questionable administrative practices.
One particularly shocking revelation involved an internationally-based player who, ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup, was asked by ZINA to purchase her own plane ticket, with a promise of reimbursement. Two years later, that reimbursement has still not been made. ZINA allegedly blamed the delay on SRC’s failure to release funds.
“How can an elite national player be asked to fund her own World Cup trip?” a source fumed. “And then be strung along for two years with no refund? It’s disgraceful.”
While the SRC did not issue a definitive verdict during the meeting, it confirmed it has been investigating some of the raised issues for close to a year. Stakeholders were informed that findings would be shared within two weeks, pending submission of further documentation.
“They said they were already looking into this even before the stories came out,” a stakeholder revealed. “They asked for supporting documents and promised to return with a judgment. That gave us some hope. We’ve been fighting in the dark for too long.”
Last year, SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa admitted the crisis was not new – only worsening.
“Netball has had issues from the time we took office as commissioners in 2019,” Mlotshwa said.
“There were already irregularities then. They qualified for two World Cups during that time, which made it difficult to take certain actions that might have had a detrimental effect on the team. But now, the pressure is mounting.”
Yesterday’s indaba was partly triggered by a formal petition submitted to both the SRC and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports and Recreation — one of several crafted by stakeholders in recent years but never acted upon.
The petition accuses ZINA of “gross irregularities, constitutional violations, and systemic incompetence,” with specific reference to failures in upholding athlete welfare and the legal requirements of the SRC Act.
“We submitted the petition last year and had lost hope,” one club official said. “They were silent for too long. But after this indaba, we are cautiously optimistic. There’s no way back for ZINA now — reforms must happen.”
What remains unclear is what form the SRC’s eventual action will take — whether a full suspension of the ZINA executive, a forensic audit, or the installation of an interim committee. But what is now certain is that the era of silence and impunity appears to be nearing its end.
Stakeholders are hopeful that the SRC will use this moment to institute sweeping reforms and restore dignity to one of the country’s most beloved women’s sports.
“This isn’t just about governance,” a senior administrator concluded. “It’s about the lives and futures of young women who put their bodies on the line for the flag. It’s about accountability, fairness, and the soul of Zimbabwean netball.”
With a two-week deadline looming and fresh evidence piling up, all eyes are now on the SRC.
Will it finally act with the urgency the moment demands?
Online Reporter