Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
PARENTS and guardians of children living with disabilities have raised concern over an alleged abuse of proceeds from a charity football match which was sanctioned by the Jairos Jiri Association.
In a letter copied to the Jairos Jiri Association director, ZIFA, Dynamos and Highlanders, the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Department of Social Welfare and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the parents said their children have not yet benefited from funds raised through the Charity Cup match between Dynamos and Highlanders.
Highlanders edged Dynamos 1-0 in the match in February. The group is calling for an immediate independent audit of all Charity Cup proceeds handled by the Jairos Jiri Board, the SRC, and the Social Welfare Department.
They also want the national director to give a public account of how the money was used.
The parents urged Dynamos and Highlanders officials to respond.
“We write with great pain and disappointment to raise concern over the alleged misuse of funds raised by the Jairos Jiri Dynamos FC and Highlanders FC Charity Cup,” the letter reads.
“The Charity Cup was organised in the name of our children.”
The parents said they mobilised families, bought tickets and attended the match after being told the proceeds would support children living with disabilities through wheelchairs, therapy, school fees, food, and equipment.
They claim that despite those assurances, there has been no financial reporting from the Jairos Jiri Association’s national office, and that the promised support has not been delivered.
“To date, we have seen no accountability and no benefit to children. No financial report from the Jairos Jiri Association National Office on how much was raised,” the letter states.
“No delivery of promised aid to our centres. Our children still lack basic equipment and support.
“We want justice and transparency for our children.”
