Opinion / Letters
Gift Banda's match fixing allegations letter
02 Dec 2011 at 05:55hrs | Views
Thursday, 01 December 2011 00:00
THE PRESIDENT
ZIMBABWE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
51 LIVINGSTONE AVENUE
HARARE
Dear Sir
RE: ALLEGATION S OF MATCH-FIXING AND PRESS REPORT OF THE HERALD (30TH NOVEMBER 2011) V1Z: SUSPENDED REFEREES AND ZIFA OFFICIALS
The above matter refers
As a board member and stakeholder, I wish to address this matter to the board through the Office of the President and challenge the manner in which most issues are being handled both at Board and Secretariat and committee levels.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Given the highly competitive, global operating environment characterised by reduced Government and donor support, the need for good governance is increasing worldwide. Questions are being asked around issues of accountability ,transparency and value addition, legitimacy and overall credibility of organisations such as ours.
Good corporate governance emerges not only as a tool to enhance Professionalism but, more importantly, to ensure interventions that are effective, sustainable, efficient and positively perceived by all stakeholders. The credibility of our organisation (Zifa), will be enhanced by adherence to the principles and practices of good corporate governance, a basic tenet which seems to be avoiding us day by day.
An integral component of good governance is the clarity of roles, responsibilities of the board, executive, staff and stakeholders and all centres on one document, which is either a corporate governance manual or constitution .We were elected on the promise to uphold this and yet every day, with the turn of events, we were negating these practices.
The article referred herein quotes the Zifa CEO, commenting on the matters that should have been sanctioned or deliberated on by the board and commented on through the President .On what grounds does the CEO, Mr Mashingaidze, pre-determines the actions of Zifa and under what authority or statute of the Zifa or Fifa constitution?
Whenever such issues arise, there are proper procedures that are laid down to correct governance standards and benchmarks of fair administration. How these rules are defined and executed determines the power relations, balance of authority and the extent to which Zifa will run smoothly.
Government and community stake holders are making efforts to improve good governance and Zifa is not exempt. Problems such as conflict of interest, non-performance, abdication of responsibility, suspicion and mistrust, interference in roles and responsibilities, rubber-stamping tendencies and unfetted individual authority over staff and Board members have become the order of the day at Zifa and can only be addressed in part through Good Governance.
It is my submission, therefore, that our system, by which Zifa is directed controlled and held to account, is no longer focusing on the core business and on policy, systems and direction, where everyone in the organisation is accountable to the many stakeholders, including members of society, beneficiaries, regulatory authorities, donors and members for the good of football.
The balance must be such that no individual or group within the association, I am sure you will agree, Mr. President, has no unfetted power on or over the organisation. Our governance must be based and relate to organisational compliance with relevant laws and regulations and conformance to ethics and standards and codes of best practices in Zimbabwe encompassing Zifa and Fifa statutes.
Public pronouncements, such as the one by the CEO which are presumptuous and Pre-emptive, go against the Benchmarks of good corporate governance.
Any suspensions or intentions must be backed by accountability using appropriate systems of law, the statutes, mechanisms and procedures which are already provided for and guarantee self regulation.
We are managing all board and operational issues through the national or public media, which has become the Boardroom platform. With this, I do not mean we must not be transparent with the public and the stakeholders but that we are merely putting the cart before the horse. I personally challenge Zifa to use all mechanisms at its disposal to investigate any anomally without fear or favour.
The article in The Herald is malicious and of no base as it has not afforded any member (a chance) to respond.
This article originates from our board where full investigations have not taken place. If there are any real issues, then let no stone be left unturned.
We must not just suspend officers to please the public when there is going to be serious litigation problems.
We already have been affected by this selective use or application of the law.
If this modus operandi persists there will be no Zifa Board, electorate and other organs to talk about.
It might be as well mean suspending, with all due respect, you Mr. President, on allegations of vote-buying for which witnesses are prepared to come up and present evidence on the allegations. It is at this turning point that those leaving in glass houses have been throwing stones.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES SHOULD THEREFORE, PROVIDE FOR:-
a) Self Regulation
b) Professional Environment
c) Accountability
d) Sustainability and Relevance
e) Fair representation and participation such that the decisions be made with participation of all stakeholders, Such broad participation must be based on freedom of association and Expression and speech through individual organisations that represents members' interests either directly or indirectly and
f) Transparency
We are going to be judged by the ease with which an outsider is able to make meaningful analysis of our organisation's actions, its economic fundamentals and non-financials aspects.
This will involve communication, information flow and sharing, and acting in a manner that is open. Transparency will allow for stakeholders and employees to gather information that may be critical to uncovering abuses and defending the interests of Zifa.
I therefore call upon the Board to enquire and expose all lack of Governance and promote transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness and efficiency, strategic vision and good governance, which are the promises and mandate that we were elected and still ride on.
There is general recognition that the reasons for underdevelopment and misgovernment or mis-management are "sometimes attributable to weak institutions, lack of adequate legal framework, damaging discretionary interventions, uncertain and variable policy frameworks and a closed-decision making process, which increases the risk of corruption" at all levels.
With this in mind, and the recent developments that have been feasted on by the media, must be acted upon and I moved a motion that the issues be, amongst others, be tabled before the next Board meeting for resolution.
Your kindly and due attention to this letter is anticipated.
Yours In Sport
Gift Banda
Board Members - Zifa
Chairman - Zifa Southern Region
CC: All Board Members
CC: The Chairman (Sports and Recreation Commission)
CC: CEO - Zifa
THE PRESIDENT
ZIMBABWE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
51 LIVINGSTONE AVENUE
HARARE
Dear Sir
RE: ALLEGATION S OF MATCH-FIXING AND PRESS REPORT OF THE HERALD (30TH NOVEMBER 2011) V1Z: SUSPENDED REFEREES AND ZIFA OFFICIALS
The above matter refers
As a board member and stakeholder, I wish to address this matter to the board through the Office of the President and challenge the manner in which most issues are being handled both at Board and Secretariat and committee levels.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Given the highly competitive, global operating environment characterised by reduced Government and donor support, the need for good governance is increasing worldwide. Questions are being asked around issues of accountability ,transparency and value addition, legitimacy and overall credibility of organisations such as ours.
Good corporate governance emerges not only as a tool to enhance Professionalism but, more importantly, to ensure interventions that are effective, sustainable, efficient and positively perceived by all stakeholders. The credibility of our organisation (Zifa), will be enhanced by adherence to the principles and practices of good corporate governance, a basic tenet which seems to be avoiding us day by day.
An integral component of good governance is the clarity of roles, responsibilities of the board, executive, staff and stakeholders and all centres on one document, which is either a corporate governance manual or constitution .We were elected on the promise to uphold this and yet every day, with the turn of events, we were negating these practices.
The article referred herein quotes the Zifa CEO, commenting on the matters that should have been sanctioned or deliberated on by the board and commented on through the President .On what grounds does the CEO, Mr Mashingaidze, pre-determines the actions of Zifa and under what authority or statute of the Zifa or Fifa constitution?
Whenever such issues arise, there are proper procedures that are laid down to correct governance standards and benchmarks of fair administration. How these rules are defined and executed determines the power relations, balance of authority and the extent to which Zifa will run smoothly.
Government and community stake holders are making efforts to improve good governance and Zifa is not exempt. Problems such as conflict of interest, non-performance, abdication of responsibility, suspicion and mistrust, interference in roles and responsibilities, rubber-stamping tendencies and unfetted individual authority over staff and Board members have become the order of the day at Zifa and can only be addressed in part through Good Governance.
It is my submission, therefore, that our system, by which Zifa is directed controlled and held to account, is no longer focusing on the core business and on policy, systems and direction, where everyone in the organisation is accountable to the many stakeholders, including members of society, beneficiaries, regulatory authorities, donors and members for the good of football.
The balance must be such that no individual or group within the association, I am sure you will agree, Mr. President, has no unfetted power on or over the organisation. Our governance must be based and relate to organisational compliance with relevant laws and regulations and conformance to ethics and standards and codes of best practices in Zimbabwe encompassing Zifa and Fifa statutes.
Public pronouncements, such as the one by the CEO which are presumptuous and Pre-emptive, go against the Benchmarks of good corporate governance.
Any suspensions or intentions must be backed by accountability using appropriate systems of law, the statutes, mechanisms and procedures which are already provided for and guarantee self regulation.
We are managing all board and operational issues through the national or public media, which has become the Boardroom platform. With this, I do not mean we must not be transparent with the public and the stakeholders but that we are merely putting the cart before the horse. I personally challenge Zifa to use all mechanisms at its disposal to investigate any anomally without fear or favour.
This article originates from our board where full investigations have not taken place. If there are any real issues, then let no stone be left unturned.
We must not just suspend officers to please the public when there is going to be serious litigation problems.
We already have been affected by this selective use or application of the law.
If this modus operandi persists there will be no Zifa Board, electorate and other organs to talk about.
It might be as well mean suspending, with all due respect, you Mr. President, on allegations of vote-buying for which witnesses are prepared to come up and present evidence on the allegations. It is at this turning point that those leaving in glass houses have been throwing stones.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES SHOULD THEREFORE, PROVIDE FOR:-
a) Self Regulation
b) Professional Environment
c) Accountability
d) Sustainability and Relevance
e) Fair representation and participation such that the decisions be made with participation of all stakeholders, Such broad participation must be based on freedom of association and Expression and speech through individual organisations that represents members' interests either directly or indirectly and
f) Transparency
We are going to be judged by the ease with which an outsider is able to make meaningful analysis of our organisation's actions, its economic fundamentals and non-financials aspects.
This will involve communication, information flow and sharing, and acting in a manner that is open. Transparency will allow for stakeholders and employees to gather information that may be critical to uncovering abuses and defending the interests of Zifa.
I therefore call upon the Board to enquire and expose all lack of Governance and promote transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness and efficiency, strategic vision and good governance, which are the promises and mandate that we were elected and still ride on.
There is general recognition that the reasons for underdevelopment and misgovernment or mis-management are "sometimes attributable to weak institutions, lack of adequate legal framework, damaging discretionary interventions, uncertain and variable policy frameworks and a closed-decision making process, which increases the risk of corruption" at all levels.
With this in mind, and the recent developments that have been feasted on by the media, must be acted upon and I moved a motion that the issues be, amongst others, be tabled before the next Board meeting for resolution.
Your kindly and due attention to this letter is anticipated.
Yours In Sport
Gift Banda
Board Members - Zifa
Chairman - Zifa Southern Region
CC: All Board Members
CC: The Chairman (Sports and Recreation Commission)
CC: CEO - Zifa
Source - herald
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