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FORMER ZIFA chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya claims that her fallout with association president Cuthbert Dube was first triggered by sharp differences over the people FIFA president Sepp Blatter had to see during his visit to Zimbabwe.
In May and June 2010, ZIFA invited Blatter to visit Zimbabwe for the handover of the artificial surface laid at Rufaro through the Win in Africa with Africa project and for the FIFA president to officiate at the ground-breaking ceremony at the site for the new headquarters of the country’s football controlling body.
However, according to Rushwaya, there were sharp differences, which were politically charged, between the ZIFA officials over whom Blatter would see during his trip to this country.
Rushwaya, who gave ZIFA a 48-hour ultimatum to lift the life ban they imposed on her in 2010 for her alleged role in Asiagate, and to pay her for the four years that she has spent away from 53 Livingstone Avenue, released two letters, which she says showed the differences at ZIFA House.
On May 28, 2010, Rushwaya, who was the ZIFA chief executive, wrote to Blatter saying:
“Following my humble requests to your good office, we humbly request your esteemed office to confirm the dates convenient for your visit to Zimbabwe.
“As stated previously in both my communication and that of my former president Mr W. Nyatanga, your visit will perform the following:
1. Meet our icon, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Robert Mugabe.
2. Officially hand over the Win in Africa with Africa Artificial Turf Stadium (Rufaro) to Zimbabwe.
3. Ground- breaking the site for our new ZIFA Headquarters.”
About a week later, Dube wrote to Blatter another letter which reads:
“Following up on our request to your esteemed person and office to visit Zimbabwe, we hereby once again request your office to confirm the dates convenient to your office and person, when the visit would take place,” read his letter.
“The visit in question will see your esteemed office perform the following:
1. Officially hand over the Win in Africa with Africa Artificial Stadium to Zimbabwe
2. Ground-break the site for our new ZIFA Headquarters
3. Meet the President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and top officials of the Government of National Unity.
“Our association is keen to share with you, during the meeting, our board’s vision of taking the game to higher levels.
“Please, be advised that myself, the board member finance and the chief executive officer will be in South Africa for the FIFA Congress and look forward to meeting you on the lines to discuss the proposed visits and general football development in Zimbabwe.”
Online Reporter