adminThis means that Dube and Hill will also replace the suspended duo at the Zifa board.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said he had written to the regions notifying them about the developments.
“As you are aware the Zifa board on Wednesday evening suspended Hokonya and Banda leaving their board and regional seats vacant. As I speak to you, I am communicating to the respective regions and other stakeholders on the board’s decision.
“Patrick Hill will be the acting Central Region chairman while Morgan Dube will temporarily head the Southern Region. We are aware that they live far from the offices but the regional administrative officers are the ones who run the day-to-day operations of Zifa and as such they will remain in charge. There are no problems with the chairmen being away from the office and if there are financial needs to be catered for they can always speak to their treasurers,” Mashingaidze said.
Banda and Hokonya join Solomon Mugavazi, the Northern Region chairman who has also been suspended leaving Eastern Region boss Fungai Chihuri as the only substantive regional chairman in the Zifa board.
Mugavazi, Methembe Ndlovu (Zifa board member development) and Zifa vice-president Kenny Marange are on suspension after being linked to the Asiagate scandal.
The fate of the above board members will be decided when all Asiagate and Centralgate investigations are completed.
Banda and Hokonya have always maintained their innocence with the former publicly stating that he was willing to step down to allow investigations to continue.
“There is no problem with being investigated. I am prepared to step aside to allow investigations to be conducted. The allegations levelled against me as a person are very serious and what surprises me in this whole thing is that he (Cosmas) at no time is saying that we met face to face. It is all an issue of hearsay and I don’t want my name to be dragged in mud.
“I believe stepping aside whilst allowing investigations to continue is the most honourable thing,” Banda was quoted as saying.
The Centralgate scam has already seen the Zimbabwe Referees Committee (ZRC) vice-chairperson and Women’s Soccer League secretary-general Samukeliso Silengane and former Fifa referee Cosmas Nyoni being suspended.
Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede who is the acting ZRC chairman is investigating the case.
Online Reporter