NEW: SRC warns against corruption in sport

Deputy Sports Editor

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa on Wednesday put would-be perpetrators of corruption in sport on notice.

In his address during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the SRC and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mlotshwa said the agreement with the corrupting-busting body, together with the Sports Integrity Bill, which has already been approved by Cabinet, should aid the eradication of sport corruption, doping and illegal betting, among other vices in Zimbabwe.

“As a nation, we have had our fair share of sports-related corruption which regrettably have not resulted in any meaningful prosecutions for a number of reasons,” said Mlotshwa.

“The main reason has been the lack of dedicated legislation dealing specifically with issues of governance, integrity and corruption in sport and its administration at all levels, particularly in relation to shortcomings within the national sports associations and clubs.

“The signing of this MOU signals serious intent on the part of the SRC to remedy these deficiencies.

“The MOU is the first step towards the enacting of various pieces of new legislation all focused on ensuring the betterment of sports governance and the eradication of corruption and other forms of crime in sport,” he said.

It is believed the MoU between the SRC and NPA is meant to foster collaborative efforts in fighting corruption.

These include the formation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, the training of prosecutors to ensure that they are adequately capacitated to prosecute all sports-related offences.

It will also lead to the establishment of a directorate of sport and recreation offences, and the creation of a special desk tasked with prosecuting crimes in sports.

Mlotshwa and Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi signed the MoU representing the SRC and NPA, respectively.