Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Kwekwe United players have taken their wage dispute to ZIFA, raising fresh questions over the club’s rebuilding exercise ahead of the new season.
Ex-striker, Farai Mutatu, has written to the association seeking intervention to force the club to settle outstanding salaries and signing-on fees owed to players who featured during last season’s Premier Soccer League campaign.
The complaint comes as Kwekwe United try to regroup after relegation, with a new leadership, fresh technical appointments and a number of high-profile signings meant to signal a reset.
The dispute points to unresolved problems from a difficult debut season in the top-flight, when financial struggles contributed to their return to the Central Region Soccer League.
Mutatu, now with TelOne, says players are still owed four months’ salaries and signing-on fees agreed in their contracts, but were never fully paid.
Figures outlined in his letter show each player is owed about US$2 300, made up of US$1 200 in unpaid wages and a US$1 000 signing bonus.
“I write this letter formally, yet with deep concern and urgency, on behalf of myself and all players who signed professional contracts with Kwekwe United Football Club for the 2025 season,” said Mutatu in the letter.
“At the beginning of the campaign, I signed a one-year contract in good faith with the understanding that all contractual obligations, including monthly salaries and signing bonuses, would be honoured in full and on time.
“Throughout the season, players were not paid monthly as stipulated. Payments came inconsistently, sometimes once every two months and at times not at all.”
Mutatu says the money is critical for players’ livelihoods and has urged the association to investigate and ensure the club meets its obligations.
“We respectfully call upon ZIFA to engage the club, facilitate settlement of all outstanding payments and uphold player welfare and contractual justice within Zimbabwean football,” he wrote.
ZIFA acting chief executive officer Norman Gwagwadza confirmed the association received communication on the matter and promised to respond to the inquiry.
Kwekwe United chairperson Francis Tavagadza played down the claims, saying he needed to verify the club’s records before commenting.
“At the moment I cannot give an accurate position on what we owe and to whom. I will have to request the correct position from our secretariat first,” he said.
“I do not remember us owing anyone something significant. We will sit down and reconcile the figures.”
The dispute comes as the club presses ahead with restructuring, backed by reported improved financial support.
Kwekwe United recently unveiled several signings, including former Dynamos captain Patson Jaure, Ricky Bota, Ian Nyoni, Trudah Mujawo and Munyaradzi Chipo, while Tendai Chikuni has been appointed head coach, with former Warriors mentor Jairos Tapera as technical director.
Unpaid wage disputes remain a recurring problem in local football, with players and coaches increasingly turning to the authorities for recourse.
Several clubs, including Highlanders, Yadah and Ngezi Platinum Stars, have faced sanctions in recent years for failing to meet contractual obligations, underlining wider concerns around player welfare and financial stability in the domestic game.
Tinaye Agere