Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson suspended indefinitely over alleged attempted vote of no-confidence

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

ZIMBABWE Swimming Chairperson, Ms Zanele Nkomazana, has been indefinitely suspended by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) for her alleged involvement in attempting to pass a vote of no confidence against Zimbabwe Aquatic Union (ZAU) President Onesmo Nhondova.

The decision to suspend Nhondova, however, was made by nine out of the 12 ZAU affiliates, with only Zimbabwe Open Water Swimming, Zimbabwe Aquatic Union Water Polo Board of Control, and Masvingo not endorsing the decision.

Nhondova hails from Masvingo.

A letter from the SRC Director General Elleta Nengomasha, obtained by Chronicle Online, states that the suspension is effective from December 5th and will remain in place until new ZAU office bearers are elected.

The letter reads: “Our correspondence dated 5 December 2023, issued in terms of Section 30 of the Sports & Recreation Commission Act, refers, as does the response received from ZAU with accompanying documentation. It is noted that your direct and unauthorised communication with Africa Aquatics and World Aquatics undermined the authority of ZAU, as well as the statutory authority of the SRC, and as such was contrary to the national interest. Kindly be notified of your suspension as a member of the executive of the Zimbabwe Aquatic Union with immediate effect. The suspension is in terms of Section 30(1) (c) (i) of the Act and shall subsist until such time when elections are held to appoint new office bearers in ZAU under a new constitution.”

The ZAU affiliates sought to remove Nhondova, accusing him of mismanaging the union and intentionally failing to establish a constitution to guide the organisation. The union has not held a meeting in the past four years.