As Zifa battle to balance their financial accounts, a member of the association’s finance committee Joseph Musariri on Friday resigned as he tore into chief executive officer (CEO) Jonathan Mashingaidze whom he alleged was frustrating the committee’s business.
by Michael Madyira
The Zifa finance committee is chaired by board member finance Bernard Gwarada and is tasked, among other roles, with assisting the association with financial advice.
Washington Mehlomakhulu, Eric Mvududu, Charles Mudyiwa and Webster Chikengezha are some of the finance team members.
The latest development paints another ugly picture on Zifa whose inept administration saw the Warriors banned by Fifa from taking part in the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers due to a $60 000 debt owed to former coach Valinhos.
In a letter copied to all Zifa board members, Musariri expressed dejection at the way the committee’s efforts to turnaround the finances of the association had been derailed by Mashingaidze.
“After careful consideration of my present value to the association, I have concluded that the conditions necessary for the proper functioning of the finance committee do not exist for me to continue being associated with the committee, wrote Musariri.”
He said the finance team had only met twice — both occasions last month — since its setting up last June, Zifa is haunted by a debt that is reported to have reached $5 million and Musariri says the finance committee has not been appraised or given the chance to work on the grim situation.
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“I have, therefore, decided to step down from the committee with immediate effect for specific reasons which include the following: “My belief is that the dysfunctional state of the committee is at the pleasure of the office of the chief executive officer who failed to convene meetings of the committee even when requested to do so. On the two occasions that the committee met, we expected the CEO to be present but he did not avail himself for both meetings,” said Musariri in the letter.
“Several requests by the committee to be furnished with the association’s management accounts and related information have not been successful to date. This has given me the impression that the secretariat is either ‘secretive’ to the committee or does not respect the mandate of the committee as I understand it.”
Musariri alleged that Mashingaidze barred the finance committee members from meeting with Zifa president Cuthbert Dube.
With the Warriors now expelled from participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Musariri said they were never notified by the Zifa board of the obligation to settle Valinhos’ outstanding salary.
“The committee has requested for a meeting with the Zifa President. That request was not acted upon by the CEO. The committee has neither been appraised nor involved in any efforts that are reportedly being made by the association to address the crippling Zifa debt. The recent exclusion of Zimbabwe from the World Cup qualifiers due to a financial matter that the committee was never made aware of has really disheartened me and I feel exposed as a member of the committee.”
Gwarada confirmed Musariri’s stepping down. “Yes he did resign yesterday (Friday),” said Gwarada.
