SRC to act on Masiyambumbi

This follows complaints in Bulawayo that Zaba technical director Petros Masiyambumbi’s multi-roles in the sport could be compromising him.

At the beginning of the month, former Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association (Baba) secretary-general Themba Manyanda took a swipe at Masiyambumbi who is also the Baba chairman accusing him of running down the sport in the city.

Manyanda said Masiyambumbi should take the blame as he has failed to steer amateur boxing to greater heights and this is confirmed by the number of pugilists that have left the sport after being frustrated by lack of fights. He is also accused of stifling some of the boxers’ chances of representing the country at international level.

The SRC through their Bulawayo office have asked Manyanda to put his concerns in writing to facilitate investigations into the matter.

In a telephone interview from his Harare base yesterday, the SRC director-general Charles Nhemachena said they were concerned by lack of corporate governance by most sporting associations.

He commended Manyanda for raising concerns about the demise of boxing in Bulawayo and the country and said they were treating the matter with utmost urgency.

“We always encourage associations to practise good corporate governance and accountability. If you do not practise the above then you cannot get desired results. It is our mandate as SRC to make sure that institutions are administered properly.

“We don’t turn a blind eye when people highlight issues such as abuse of office which in the long run affects sport. The good thing is that he (Manyanda) has now put his complaints in writing which makes investigations easy,” said Nhemachena.

Manyanda is accusing Masiyambumbi of parctising nepotism, among other allegations.

At one stage he is alleged to have appointed one of his sons Zimbabwe Youth Games Bulawayo coach ahead of experienced guys like Ezwell Ndlovu, Mandla Phuthi and Phillip Striker.

Manyanda said he was saddened that most clubs in Bulawayo have folded since Masiyambumbi took over in 2009.

“Bulawayo Province has for long been the nation’s bedrock of amateur boxing until recently. People will recall the dominance of pugilists such as Bhekimpilo Mlilo, Lionel Green, Meluleki Ngulube, Ntando Sibanda, Vincent Muziri and Martin Tshuma, among others. What is painful is that many of them have decided to quit the sport altogether.

“You will be aware that the same province (Bulawayo) used to be home to 13 amateur clubs, and I hope I am not the first to bring to your attention the sad fact that they have since dropped to five, some of which are now just shells. The death in the sport is not a mystery, and like I pointed out in the referred article one man stands out for all the wrong reasons — Petros Masiyambumbi,” wrote Manyanda.

Some of the clubs which have collapsed, according to Manyanda are Iminyela, Sizinda, Prisons, Bulawayo District, Headquarters One Brigade and Green Mambas.

Tshaka, Nketa, Nkulumane and Lobhengula are the clubs with amateur boxers now.

Masiyambumbi denies the allegations saying he is doing the best for the sport in Bulawayo and the country at large.