adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA board member Fungai Chihuri faces possible arrest after the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters’ Association (ZNSSA) opened a case of fraud against him at Bulawayo Central Police Station on Saturday. The case was filed by ZNSSA president Eddie Chivero under IR Number 7865/15. The supporters are querying the Zifa income and expenditure statement for the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifier between Zimbabwe and Guinea that showed a loss of $12,481.
“We specifically picked Chihuri because he was in charge of the finances for that game as acting board member finance. We’ve been calling on the police to arrest these Zifa guys, but they kept on telling us that as long as there was no complainant, it was difficult for them to effect an arrest,” said Chivero.
A senior police commander said Chihuri would be picked up for questioning today.
“If the report has been made, then most certainly our guys from the Serious Fraud Section will pick him (Chihuri) up on Monday (today). Zifa’s financial books will also be seized as part of the investigations,” said the police commander.
Chivero said the fraud case involved $7,000 which the association wants Zifa to fully account for.
“Investigations by the police will probably reveal more. The $4,000, which we have since confirmed was taken by four board members, is not indicated on their income and expenditure statement. We also need to know who this transporter that was paid $3,000 is, if ever that transporter exists,” said Chivero.
Zifa have consistently denied any abuse of funds despite widespread condemnation of their income and expenditure statement.
The government has also intervened and is set to summon the association this week over the Rufaro Stadium gate takings.
“Explanations are definitely needed. Zifa must certainly account for the money to the last cent,” the Minister of Sports and Recreation Andrew Langa told Chronicle Sport last week.
The Minister said it was disturbing that hard earned cash paid by fans to rally behind the national team could not be fully accounted for.
“We need to brief the nation accordingly. If people come in huge numbers like what happened on Sunday (last week), then certainly there is a need to fully account for the monies, not what is coming out now. My office will definitely summon them (Zifa) through our channels so that they can fully explain how these gate takings were used. There must never be an element of doubt,” said Minister Langa.
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