Sports / Soccer
Match fixing charges against Rushwaya dropped
25 May 2012 at 05:42hrs | Views
FORMER Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya got a reprieve yesterday after the prosecution dropped six charges of match-fixing against her. The State withdrew the charges before plea but can proceed by way of summons if it finds solid evidence to warrant her prosecution.
Rushwaya was facing several charges emanating from soccer matches the senior national football team, the Warriors, played in Asia
She is now left with a lesser charge of concealing transactions from her principals.
The former Zifa chief executive, who is being represented by Mr Jonathan Samukange of Venturas and Samukange, yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei.
Mr Ndirowei advised Rushwaya of the State's position.
Prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Kasema, however, advised the court that Rushwaya's trial date in the transaction concealment case has been set for July 19 this year.
Outside the courtroom, a group of soccer fans demonstrated against Rushwaya accusing her of being corrupt.
They waved placards encouraging the State to expeditiously try Rushwaya.
The State alleged that Rushwaya, as an agent of Zifa, connived with former programmes officer Jonathan Musavengana and Asian betting syndicate leader Raja Perumal and unlawfully authorised the national soccer team and Monomotapa FC to attend international sporting tours.
They allegedly arranged that the full nature of transactions would not be disclosed to the Zifa Board and the Sports and Recreation Commission.
It is alleged Perumal funded the trips to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Oman, Jordan, Bulgaria, China, Thailand and Yemen.
In the other charges it was alleged that between 2007 and 2009 Rushwaya allegedly engaged match officials, players, technical staff and media personal in respect of all the 15 international games played and received US$1 million to throw away matches.
According to the State, witnesses will state that they received clear instructions to concede goals at given intervals.
On the two counts of fraud, Rushwaya in July 2009 allegedly arranged matches between the Warriors and the Malaysian national team, which were not approved by Zifa.
All expenses for the trip were allegedly paid in Malaysia.
It is alleged Rushwaya, with the intention to defraud Zifa and the SRC, sent Monomotapa FC to Malaysia misrepresenting that it was the national side. The fake Warriors team played two matches in Malaysia.
Rushwaya was facing several charges emanating from soccer matches the senior national football team, the Warriors, played in Asia
She is now left with a lesser charge of concealing transactions from her principals.
The former Zifa chief executive, who is being represented by Mr Jonathan Samukange of Venturas and Samukange, yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei.
Mr Ndirowei advised Rushwaya of the State's position.
Prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Kasema, however, advised the court that Rushwaya's trial date in the transaction concealment case has been set for July 19 this year.
Outside the courtroom, a group of soccer fans demonstrated against Rushwaya accusing her of being corrupt.
They waved placards encouraging the State to expeditiously try Rushwaya.
They allegedly arranged that the full nature of transactions would not be disclosed to the Zifa Board and the Sports and Recreation Commission.
It is alleged Perumal funded the trips to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Oman, Jordan, Bulgaria, China, Thailand and Yemen.
In the other charges it was alleged that between 2007 and 2009 Rushwaya allegedly engaged match officials, players, technical staff and media personal in respect of all the 15 international games played and received US$1 million to throw away matches.
According to the State, witnesses will state that they received clear instructions to concede goals at given intervals.
On the two counts of fraud, Rushwaya in July 2009 allegedly arranged matches between the Warriors and the Malaysian national team, which were not approved by Zifa.
All expenses for the trip were allegedly paid in Malaysia.
It is alleged Rushwaya, with the intention to defraud Zifa and the SRC, sent Monomotapa FC to Malaysia misrepresenting that it was the national side. The fake Warriors team played two matches in Malaysia.
Source - TH
