News / National
SRC to suspend 23 Zifa councillors
22 Dec 2021 at 04:41hrs | Views
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) intends to suspend 23 Zifa councillors accused of accepting inducements from aspiring candidates in the national association's elections in December 2018.
The matter is currently in court.
The councillors all admitted receiving money from candidates, especially from suspended Zifa president Felton Kamambo, but argue that it was not a bribe but for "lunch and transport needs".
In terms of the Fifa Code of Ethics, any inducements or gift by persons covered by the code are not permitted and anyone involved in such faces a stiff penalty, including suspension from any football related activities for at least two years.
Even failure to report such actions attracts huge sanctions.
In a letter to Zifa acting chief executive officer and spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, SRC acting director-general Sebastian Garikai said they were in possession of various statements compiled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in which all the councillors admit receiving inducements.
"We are in possession of various statements compiled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for use in the ongoing criminal trial of Zifa president Felton Kamambo. In all of these signed statements, the Zifa councillors, copied in this correspondence, all admit to receiving inducements in one form or the other from the above accused person, as well as other candidates running for office during the December 2018 Zifa elections.
"In terms of Section 30 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act, notice is hereby given to the association by the Commission that it intends to suspend from office all of the Zifa councillors copied in this correspondence. The reason for the intended suspension is that each or all of them have admitted to accepting an inducement by whatever name from contestants to an electoral process, especially the current president of Zifa," wrote Garikai.
The councillors have been given up to midday on Friday to show cause in writing why they shouldn't be slapped with suspensions for their actions.
Thereafter, the SRC shall pronounce its decision on the matter.
Kamambo is already on suspension over other charges alongside his colleagues in the Zifa executive committee.
Accused councillors:
Thomas Marambanyika, Pithias Shoko, Nkosilathi Ncube, Doubt Ncube, Stanley Chapeta, Patrick Hill, Stanslous Nyachowe, Mhloro Tavaziva, Edward Chekure, Olivarth Guvuriro, Tafadzwa Mujuru, Givemore Chidakwa, Brenda Gorejena, Artwell Moyo, Beaullah Msara, Kudakwashe Chisango, Kudakwashe Remba, Ropafadzo Matemavi,Dennis Tshuma, Mehluli Thebe, Francis Ntutha, Andrew Tapela, Pervious Mathe.
The matter is currently in court.
The councillors all admitted receiving money from candidates, especially from suspended Zifa president Felton Kamambo, but argue that it was not a bribe but for "lunch and transport needs".
In terms of the Fifa Code of Ethics, any inducements or gift by persons covered by the code are not permitted and anyone involved in such faces a stiff penalty, including suspension from any football related activities for at least two years.
Even failure to report such actions attracts huge sanctions.
In a letter to Zifa acting chief executive officer and spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, SRC acting director-general Sebastian Garikai said they were in possession of various statements compiled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in which all the councillors admit receiving inducements.
"We are in possession of various statements compiled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for use in the ongoing criminal trial of Zifa president Felton Kamambo. In all of these signed statements, the Zifa councillors, copied in this correspondence, all admit to receiving inducements in one form or the other from the above accused person, as well as other candidates running for office during the December 2018 Zifa elections.
"In terms of Section 30 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act, notice is hereby given to the association by the Commission that it intends to suspend from office all of the Zifa councillors copied in this correspondence. The reason for the intended suspension is that each or all of them have admitted to accepting an inducement by whatever name from contestants to an electoral process, especially the current president of Zifa," wrote Garikai.
The councillors have been given up to midday on Friday to show cause in writing why they shouldn't be slapped with suspensions for their actions.
Thereafter, the SRC shall pronounce its decision on the matter.
Kamambo is already on suspension over other charges alongside his colleagues in the Zifa executive committee.
Accused councillors:
Thomas Marambanyika, Pithias Shoko, Nkosilathi Ncube, Doubt Ncube, Stanley Chapeta, Patrick Hill, Stanslous Nyachowe, Mhloro Tavaziva, Edward Chekure, Olivarth Guvuriro, Tafadzwa Mujuru, Givemore Chidakwa, Brenda Gorejena, Artwell Moyo, Beaullah Msara, Kudakwashe Chisango, Kudakwashe Remba, Ropafadzo Matemavi,Dennis Tshuma, Mehluli Thebe, Francis Ntutha, Andrew Tapela, Pervious Mathe.
Source - The Chronicle
