adminThis came after Mashingaidze claimed before the African Nations Cup first round second leg qualifier between Zimbabwe and Burundi that Ovidy Karuru and Knowledge Musona were spotted by Zifa officials at the premises which house Rushwaya’s offices and could have been influenced to fix the match.
Musona has since threatened to quit international football unless Zifa apologise over the claims.
“I was picked up before 9am by details from Harare Central Police Station where I remained until after 1pm. At the station I was told my charge, which is criminal defamation, and Henrietta Rushwaya is the complainant. I was only released after a warned and cautioned statement,” said Mashingaidze.
He said he was expected to appear in court soon.
Speaking a day after the alleged visit by the players, Mashingaidze said: “During lunch, we were tipped by our security team that is on the ground that some of our players were seen entering and later leaving premises of people who were heavily involved in Asiagate.
“We feel and believe that this cannot be allowed to continue unabated and it is disturbing that barely 48 hours after the performance in Maputo they are spending time in the company of people who, in the first place, led them into being fingered and some of them even suspended.
“It shows that some people who were involved in Asiagate are unrepentant but the question to ask is:Is that what we want for Zimbabwe?” asked Mashingaidze.
Rushwaya however, dismissed the allegations as false and threatened criminal charges and civil proceedings for defamation against Zifa.
“I am not a match-fixer. I have been quiet for too long and it’s high time we showed people that we have teeth and vicious teeth for that matter. We are proceeding with the court action and there is no going back,” Rushwaya was quoted as saying then.
Online Reporter