Mpumelelo Dzowa launches petition for Cuthbert Dube to step down

AN online petition started by former CAPS United defender, Mpumelelo Dzowa, asking for Zifa president Cuthbert Dube to step down is going viral with a number of former players and fans, spread around the world, putting their signatures to the document.

Dzowa believes that Dube should quit and give the baton for the Zifa leadership to someone else after five years at the helm of Zimbabwe football.

"I know the passion and emotion you have displayed for the national sport," Dzowa wrote on his Facebook page.

"I know the pride and patriotism you always uphold for your country. Enough is enough, our football has gone to the dogs and I'm responding to mobilise the call for Action.

"Let's register our feelings for the record, we can't be on the sidelines forever. So come with me, let's be heard. Thanks for your support. If you have signed the petition please share the link."

Some of those who signed the petition include Frank Nyamukuta, George Mbwando, Maxwell Dube and Abdul Karim Abdul.

The petition reads:

"(Because of) Our love and concern for our national sport, football, we have concluded that your tenure at Zifa should not continue.

"Because we believe that you share that love and concern, we hope that you'll resign voluntarily, and we ask that you begin the process of negotiating your resignation with your Board and Councillors.

"You can be proud of many accomplishments during your tenure as Zifa President.

"However, your tenure has been marked by a recurrent and worsening chaos at 53 Livingstone Avenue with regard to, among other challenges, the support, preparation or management of the national team, coaching clinics and many other operations organised by your secretariat including Board Meetings.

"The embarrassing events and related chaotic situations are now public fodder and have been widely reported in the media to the detriment of the integrity of your person, office of Zifa President and Zifa as a sport organisation.

"This has gone on for too long, and has occurred in too many situations in too many different times.

"Your dismal failure in leadership and the absence of goodwill from the custodians of the game in Zimbabwe constitutes a severe threat to our community and your own safety and security too.

"It angers and demoralises players, coaches and all whose livelihood and future depend on the football industry, fans whose entertainment, pride and patriotism is in football. It jeopardises the finances of Zifa, because of the direct connection between integrity of leadership and generous sponsorship.

"It threatens the vitality of Zifa programmes, which depend on the fans attending games and the generosity of sponsors/partners of Zifa as a credible and trustworthy organisation.

"It makes the recruitment of the next generation of football leaders more and more difficult. And, most important, it is directly contrary to the spirit and identity of your lifetime career in leadership.

"Leadership is about positively influencing people and other organisations towards a common goal.

"For the many years serving in many different Boards, it is possible that this nightmare and embarrassing situation, may not arise.

"But here at Zifa, the problem has become too severe and intractable to be ignored any longer. The fact remains that as an elected official you are held to a higher standard and recent events and, many before, are not acceptable.

"You have inevitably become a distraction to the challenging matters of football. We know that you have a conscience and it's telling you that you have given your best effort and there's need to swallow your pride.

"Your actions, past, present and future, are the (barometer) here. You and only you have the power to change the equation by subtracting yourself and your team from the discourse.

"There's only one solution, which is the orderly end of your tenure as Zifa President. The time has come, you should go in peace with some dignity.

"Of course, you will need to consider the situation carefully, seek ethical counsel and discuss it with your family. But, please! RESIGN for the good of the beautiful game."