Sundaymail Editor
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) is drowning in scandal; it is being accused of financial mismanagement, blatant player neglect and a shocking lack of accountability.
The association, which should be the bedrock of netball in the country, stands accused of failing its own athletes, despite enjoying financial backing from Nedbank Zimbabwe.
With disturbing evidence of missing funds, unpaid medical bills and questionable demands on players, ZINA faces its biggest credibility crisis yet.
A career nearly destroyed
GreenFuel’s star shooter Nicole Muzanenhamo became the face of this scandal when a career-threatening injury exposed just how little ZINA values the players it claims to represent.
In 2023, while on national duty at the Africa Netball Cup in Botswana, Muzanenhamo suffered a severe knee injury, one that left her barely able to walk.
Yet, when she returned home, she found no medical assistance from ZINA, no follow-ups and no plan for her recovery.
Instead, her club was forced to intervene, despite having been given empty promises by ZINA’s management.
“We had to take Muzanenhamo to Bulawayo for specialist attention, and that left us unhappy,” a GreenFuel representative revealed.
“If a player gets injured while representing the country, it is the association’s duty to care for her. We reached out to ZINA and they promised to get back to us, but nothing happened. As time went by and our player’s condition worsened, we had no choice but to foot the bills ourselves. We covered everything: surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.”
Shockingly, the same pattern repeated itself in 2024 when Muzanenhamo returned from the Africa Netball Cup in Namibia nursing an ankle injury.
Once again, ZINA ignored the situation, despite repeated calls from the club for assistance.
Where did the money go?
Zimpapers Sports Hub can confirm that Nedbank Zimbabwe released funds specifically meant for Muzanenhamo’s medical expenses.
The money was handed over to ZINA, yet it never reached the player, her club or the medical professionals who treated her.
“We contributed a few hundred dollars to assist with the player’s medical bills,” a Nedbank representative stated.
“Nedbank was made aware that the player was to be taken to Bulawayo for medical attention, so we had to step in and help. As national team sponsors, we see it as our responsibility to ensure their welfare.”
Despite this direct financial support, GreenFuel still had to cover nearly US$2 000 in medical expenses.
ZINA’s silence raises serious questions about what the money was used for, and whether this is just a tip of the iceberg.
Extorting national team players?
The Scotland debacle
As if failing injured players was not bad enough, ZINA is also facing accusations of extorting its own athletes.
Before the Gems’ trip to Scotland for the inaugural Celtic Cup in November 2023, players were reportedly forced to pay US$70 each for warm clothing, even though the team has a dedicated sponsor.
Some clubs, outraged by this demand, proposed buying their own players’ jackets and branding them with their respective club logos.
But ZINA refused outright, insisting that players must pay directly to the association.
In the end, long bomber jackets were procured and branded “Nedbank”.
“What is the point of having our players in the national team if we are the ones dressing them?” fumed one club official. “The team has a sponsor, so why were we being forced to fork out money? Worse still, why did the jackets have the Nedbank logo when it was us (the clubs) who paid for them?”
Chipandu breaks her silence
After days of mounting pressure and silence from ZINA, the association’s president, Leticia Chipandu, finally responded, but with a sharp dismissal of the allegations.
“That is not true,” Chipandu said. “Everything that was worn by the team was purchased by the association, with the help of our sponsors from Nedbank.
“We have all the receipts, and I can refer you to the manufacturer. I don’t know where you are getting your information from, and quite frankly, I am sick and tired of all the lies. These are all lies; everything from the tracksuits to the jackets were purchased above board.
“If any club has come to you and said they gave us money, then it is those clubs that need to be investigated.”
Who is running ZINA?
Since Nedbank took over as the Gems’ official sponsor in 2023, the financial institution has reportedly covered all major expenses, from travel and accommodation to kits and allowances.
The bank even opened personal accounts for each player, depositing allowances directly into them.
“We ensure that players have their allowances deposited directly into their accounts when they travel,” Nedbank confirmed. “We also cover their travel, accommodation and dressing expenses; it is our obligation.”
A scandal that won’t go away
Chipandu’s defensive stance has only added fuel to the fire, with clubs standing by their claims and calling for an independent audit of ZINA’s financial dealings.
While ZINA attempts to brush off the allegations, players continue to suffer, sponsors are left questioning their commitments and the association’s credibility is in tatters.
With mounting pressure from clubs and stakeholders, the big question remains: Will ZINA finally be held accountable?
Online Reporter