Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER weeks of intense behind-the-scenes deliberations that followed the Lady Sables’ farcical tour of Cote’ d’Ivoire, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union have suspended the pair of president Losson Mtongwiza and women’s chairperson Regina Mwanandiwa.
Mtongwiza and Mwanandiwa have, in the last fortnight, been in the eye of a storm following problems that rocked the Women’s senior team camp, amid accusations of harassment and abuse levelled against the duo.
The Lady Sables took part in the Rugby Africa Women’s Division One tournament in Cote d’Ivoire last month, where they failed to progress to the elite 2025 Rugby Women’s Cup.
They had shown promise when thumping hosts Cote d’Ivoire 46-8 before they came a cropper against Tunisia, who edged them 27-24, and eventual tournament winners Uganda, who hammered them 63-7 in the round robin games.
In the aftermath of the disappointing trip, the players are alleged to have been paid a mere US$150 each for allowances and match fees.
Attempts to get clarity on the issue saw the players get dressed down and threatened by Mtongwiza, with an audio of the meeting going viral after it leaked on social media.
Amid the complaints against Mtongwiza and Mwanandiwa, the ZRU were summoned by the Sports and Recreation Commission, who ordered the union’s board to deal with the matter and present a report to the sport regulatory board.
It is against this background that the ZRU’s National Executive Board yesterday announced that they had suspended the pair while a further probe into the allegations they are facing continues.
Questions around transparency, governance and accountability, have also been raised against the union’s leaders.
And the ZRU, in a statement released yesterday, indicated that vice president (North) Tapfuma Parirenyatwa had been named acting president.
“The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, governance and accountability in the management of rugby in Zimbabwe,” read a statement released by the union.
“In line with this commitment, the ZRU National Executive Board (NEB) have taken decisive steps to address recent concerns regarding governance and financial management.
“Following recommendations from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) and the outcomes of the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on May 6, 2025, the NEB have resolved to temporarily suspend ZRU president Losson Mtongwiza and Zimbabwe Women’s Rugby Chairperson Regina Mwanandiwa pending further inquiry.
“This action of suspension and the subsequent inquiry are normal procedures when allegations of wrongdoing arise.
As part of the suspension, the duo of Mtongwiza and Mwanandiwa is required to surrender all rugby-related duties and will not represent any facet of the national game during their time on the sidelines.
“The suspension will remain in effect until the ongoing inquiry and all related procedures have been fully concluded.
“The ZRU is fully committed to due process and operating within the confines of the constitution.
“The ZRU urges all stakeholders to be responsible in their commentary and acknowledges that any clickbait or sensationalist reporting has the potential to seriously damage and tarnish the reputation of the sport of rugby,’’ added the ZRU.
The union’s board also reiterated their commitment to upholding the tenets of integrity and honesty in the domestic rugby mother body’s dealings.
“The ZRU remains committed to maintaining the integrity of Zimbabwean rugby and the trust of its stakeholders, including players, partners and supporters.
“The ongoing inquiries will be conducted in accordance with the ZRU constitution to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability’’.
Parirenyatwa will be deputised by Thembelani Ncube, who is the union’s other vice-president while “the Zimbabwe Women’s Board, through their internal processes, will announce their stand-in chairperson in due course’’. Mtongwiza’s suspension comes at a critical time for the ZRU, as the country’s flagship team — the Sables — are in the final stages of their preparations for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, scheduled for July in Uganda.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions in the Africa Cup.
However, this year’s tournament has an added significance in that it will act as qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the winners automatically punching their ticket to the quadrennial global showcase.
As part of their ongoing preparations, the Sables opened their account in the Zambezi Series with a convincing 70-15 victory over Zambia last weekend.
They will be back in action tomorrow when they take on Botswana, the other tournament participant, at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange stadium.
