Uproar over BUZ elections

Sports Reporter

THE controversy that dogged the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) elections refuses to go away, with Harare Basketball Association (HBA), led by David Pick, being the latest to lodge a complaint with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) on the manner the polls were conducted.

BUZ held their elective congress in Gwanda, where Joe Mujuru was retained as president.

The latest complaint by the HBA comes after Harare City Hornets chairperson Sunny Mbofana, Mashonaland Central provincial executive and the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) similarly voiced their concerns.

In a letter dated February 9, 2022, written by secretary-general Tinashe Nyamuziwa, HBA asked the SRC to nullify the election results.

“It is common cause that BUZ held its elective AGM (annual general meeting) on January 29, 2022 at Mtshabezi High School in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province.

“It is with regards these proceedings and events culminating to the same that we write this complainant,” he said.

“We wish to seek intervention from your esteemed commission by way of nullifying what we opine to be a shambolic, shameful and fraudulent election.”

HBA accuse Mujuru, together with BUZ secretary-general Charmaine Chamboko, of not holding elections in a free and fair environment.

The duo are alleged to have contravened SRC’s code on good governance and elections by acting as the de facto and de jure election commission during the elections.

“Secondly, one of the 12 basketball provinces, namely Mashonaland Central, was barred from participating and voting in unclear circumstances, as they were declared by the incumbent secretary-general that they were not in good standing and could not participate . . .

“We also point to you that this purported suspension of Mashonaland Central was a nullity meant to ensure re-election of the two (president and secretary-general).

“Due process was not followed in its entirety as provided for in the BUZ constitution.”

Nyamuziwa further alleges that some of the voting provinces, particularly the NAPH, were represented by fraudulent and bogus delegates.

Mujuru, however, maintains the elections were above board.