adminIshemunyoro Chingwere
ZIFA Midlands province says Cuthbert Dube is not welcome in their territory until he deals decisively with the scandal involving funds generated from the Warriors-Guinea Afcon match. Dube had scheduled a whirlwind tour to the country’s 10 provinces in a bid to woo the electoral college ahead of a watershed October 3 meeting that could end his tenure.The Zifa boss had set Midlands as his next stop but the province yesterday held a meeting and agreed Dube was not welcome.
Provincial chair Brian Chishanga said the affiliate was of the view that accounting for proceeds from the Guinea match was more important than a talkshop in Gweru.
“The meeting resolved that the national leaders are not welcome here until they tell the nation what happened to the money realised from that bumper crowd that thronged Rufaro for the Guinea match.
“It is our committee’s humble opinion that their hands are dirty and should take time to wash them clean before they can dream of wining and dining with us.
“I know they might insist on coming but if they do then they are assured they will be wasting their precious time,” warned the long-serving Zifa councilor.
Chishanga’s deputy George Sibangani said the least Zifa could have done was suspend all individuals suspected of financial misappropriation while investigations continued.
“Basic tenets of good corporate governance state that if one is suspected of fraud, they must be suspended pending an investigation.
“If our national leaders cannot do such a simple thing, then we surely cannot entertain them because we have a reputation to protect as a province,” said Sibangani.
However, Dube looked unmoved yesterday and said he would proceed with the tour.
“I am surprised to hear that. Just last night (Friday night) I got a call from Chishanga pleading with me to make sure I tour the Midlands before the October 3 assembly.
“But even if that’s true, we will still tour the province and see how to proceed after that. The threat of an empty venue will not change anything in our plan,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu