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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA have suspended truant chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse to pave way for disciplinary measures and investigations into the massive financial prejudice unearthed by a recent forensic audit.
The resolution was made at the ZIFA board meeting yesterday as the football leadership was not happy that Mamutse has not been reporting for duty for the past six months.
Mamutse last reported for duty in December 2020 after he was suspended by the Sports and Recreation Commission over a series of administrative gaffes.
The suspension, however, was lifted in May this year but the ZIFA head of secretariat has surprisingly remained AWOL.
Mamutse’s name also features prominently in the forensic audit report that revealed gross financial mismanagement and prejudices in excess of US$600 000 and a further ZW$73 million, in local currency.
“The Executive Committee has resolved to suspend the General-Secretary, Mr Joseph Mamutse for failing to report for duty when he was lawfully called upon to do so and also to facilitate investigations on issues arising from the forensic audit report,” said a statement from the ZIFA board.
Mamutse served as the ZIFA head of secretariat from 2016 when he assumed office in acting capacity following the expiry of his predecessor Jonathan Mashingaidze’s contract. He was confirmed as the substantive general-secretary in August 2017.
Nonetheless, Mamutse was suspended by the Sports Commission in November 2020, in terms of Section 30 of the SRC Act and related legislation particularly that targeted at COVID-19 prevention.
He was suspended along with the SRC director-general Prince Mupazviriho to pave the way for investigations into how they allegedly cleared a number of national teams, clandestinely, for assignments outside the country, without following Covid-19 protocols, at the height of the pandemic.
Mamutse also faced charges related to the manner in which Zimbabwe was left embarrassed after the national Under-17 side were kicked out of the COSAFA tournament in South Africa for age-cheating.
Despite his reinstatement in May this year, he has chosen not to return to work in a clear demonstration of his loyalties towards ousted board members fronted by Felton Kamambo.
In a previous interview with The Herald, ZIFA lawyer Chenaimoyo Gumiro indicated the chief executive officer could be charged for his truancy.
“Mamutse is still a ZIFA employee and if continues to absent himself from work then ZIFA have the right to take action. So far there hasn’t been any form of communication from him (apart from the letter from his lawyers).
“But I understand the Executive Committee made a resolution to institute internal processes against him at their last meeting,” said Gumiro.
Mamutse had established strong bonds with the ousted members of the board who include Kamambo, Philemon Machana, Bryton Malandule and Stanley Chapeta.
The board also noted with concern that the Central Region, Southern Region, and Mashonaland Central province are not participating in ZIFA activities and meetings.
Kamambo and his colleagues are set to be investigated for corruption following the hostile findings by the forensic audit carried out by BDO Zimbabwe.
Some of the members in the current board will also need to clear their names after the audit report exposed they could have been beneficiaries of the pillage.
The ZIFA board yesterday also resolved “to appoint an ad hoc committee consisting of three members to scrutinise matters arising from the forensic audit report and make recommendations.”
The meeting yesterday made a number of resolutions which included the holding of the Annual General Meeting in January 2023. ZIFA have not been able to hold the annual indaba in the last two years.
Among the decisions from yesterday’s meeting, the association will also look to partner the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for the training of coaches.
“This is meant to capacitate schools with the requisite expertise, and it will go a long way in developing the beautiful game.
“The Executive committee has resolved to embark on the National Division league in line with section 10 of the ZIFA constitution. Modalities of its implementation will be made public in due course,” said the ZIFA statement.
Online Reporter