Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
LEADING sports expert and member of the Zifa restructuring committee, Tommy Sithole yesterday strongly dismissed reports that he was behind the leak of a Zifa draft forensic audit report that unearthed mismanagement of funds amounting to almost US$2 million and ZW$112 million.
“I have been made aware about a statement purported to have been issued by a law firm associating me with the leaked BDO report on Zifa forensic audit. First they should get their simple facts right. The Restructuring Committee does NOT have a vice chairman. I am just one of the members of the committee, full stop.
“The statement associates me with the leak, ostensibly because I am also chairman of Zimpapers. The only name associated with the leak and therefore more than an insinuation that I may have had something to do with it is but a daft, unamusing proposal that is certainly not appreciated.
“Since the allegations that are said to be contained in the leaked report, to a layman like me, borders on the prosecutable I absolutely dare those accusing me of being associated with the leak to sue me or forever hold their cowardly peace. I know they are cowards. Let it be understood and known that as I draft this response I have NOT read the BDO report and that I don’t know what it contains.
“If those who have purportedly been mentioned in the report feel maligned and felt so strongly as to rush off to their lawyers, they are free to seek recourse of the courts,” said Sithole.
Sithole’s pushback comes in response to a Thursday press statement by the suspended quartet of Zifa president Felton Kamambo, board members Philemon Machana, Bryton Malandule and Stanley Chapeta. Through their lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, dismissed the forensic audit report that is circulating in social media and name checked Sithole.
The draft forensic report leaked last week after it was shared among the Zifa board members so that they study it ahead of next Saturday’s extraordinary general meeting.
The quartet, who are still fighting for their reinstatement, went further to allege that Sithole who is in Seoul, South Korea, where he is attending the elective general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), leaked the draft report.
BDO Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants, acting on the instruction of the Zifa restructuring committee submitted the draft forensic audit report after concluding a five-month long investigation at the end of September.
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) confirmed that BDO Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants made separate presentations of their findings to the country’s supreme sports mother body as well as the Zifa restructuring committee and will soon deliver the final signed report.
Kamambo, Machana, Malandule and Chapeta also threatened to institute legal action against the contracted auditors, Zifa restructuring committee and the SRC.
“It has been brought to the attention of our clients, Messrs F Kamambo, P Machana, S Chapeta, B Malandule and J Mamutse, all who are on “suspension” from the SRC, that a purported unsigned “Draft Forensic Audit Report” on Zifa’s financial transactions is circulating in various media spaces, especially on social media.
“Our clients have seen numerous media reports, mainly from known state media critics, such as from the Chronicle and The Herald both under the Zimpapers stable chaired by Mr Tommy Sithole who is also a deputy chair of the Zifa restructuring Committee and have also had sight of the so-called Draft Forensic Report, purportedly originating from BDO Zimbabwe. Furthermore, our clients have had sight of the SRC press statement regarding same.
“We would want to notify the generality of sport-loving persons and authorities that our clients eagerly await receipt of the Final ‘Audit Report’, from which they shall respond after having satisfied all legal impediments currently curtailing them to comment. Such shall be done through utilising the appropriate legal remedies against the said auditors, BDO Zimbabwe and /or SRC, Zifa restructuring committee as well as the current illegal Zifa Board,” reads part of the statement.
The nine-member Zifa restructuring committee appointed by the SRC and undertaking matters of a strategic nature, as outlined in their terms of reference, in line with the provisions of Section 21, 19(b), and 20 (c) of the SRC Act is chaired by lawyer Blessing Rugara.
The other committee members are leading sports expert Sithole, former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive and International Federation World Rowing development manager Anna Mguni, banker Desmund Ali, lawyer Rudo Mugandani, former, Doves Holdings General Manager Marketing Joel Gombera, former CAPS United administrator Joyce Kapota and CAPS United legend Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda.
The final audit report is expected to be presented at the Zifa extraordinary general meeting to be held next Saturday in Harare.
Kamambo and crew say the draft audit report is a nullity and feel they are being targeted.
They’re pleading with councillors to come to their corner, accusing SRC of taking football to the 20th century. — @ZililoR
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