Zifa official in transfer fees wrangle

Sport
BY ALBERT MARUFU   A club founded by a top Zifa official is among the three clubs in hot soup for participating in a scam that saw players being issued with International Transfer Certificates without remitting the 15% player transfer levy to the organisation.

Aces Youth Academy, which lists Nigel Munyati, the Zifa board member responsible for marketing as its director, violated the association’s rules and regulations when it failed to remit the mandatory levy for player transfers.

 

The other two clubs are CAPS United and Gunners. Zifa has since given the three clubs until tomorrow to settle an amount which is close to US$103 000                                  (R802 500) or face disciplinary action.

 

Aces Youth Academy owe Zifa US$10 715,88 (R82 500) for the sale of Khama Billiart and Lincoln Zvasiya. The figure could increase as it does not include that of Knowledge Musona whose figures were not provided.

 

CAPS United owe the association US$76 934,41 (R592 500) for their sale of Simba Sithole, Gilbert Mapemba, Oscar Machapa, Method Mwanjali, Nyasha Mushekwi, Tafadzwa Rusike and Lionel Mtizwa to South African clubs between 2009 and this year.

 

Gunners owe Zifa US$16 561,29 for the sale of Ramson Zhuwawo and Carlington Nyadombo, also to South African clubs.

 

Zifa is arguing that the clubs violated the association’s Rules and Regulation of 1996 which states that no player can turn out for another club before the 15% levy is paid to Zifa.

 

Rule 5 (II) states that; “In the case of Non-amateur players, transfers are subject to negotiations between clubs and players concerned but are subject to the transfer date of midnight on July 1 each year. 15% of all transfer monies shall be due to Zifa and payable on transfer. No player shall be allowed to play for his new club unless the 15% levy has been paid to the association.”

 

Rule 5.111 states that; “External transfers shall have no time limit but 15% of all transfer monies shall be due to Zifa. No international transfer certificate shall be issued unless the 15% levy has been paid to the association.”

 

However, it is against this background that international transfer certificates for the players were issued as they are currently playing for their respective clubs.

 

According to the letter Zifa wrote to the three clubs on October 8, and copied to Zifa President Cuthbert Dube, Zifa Chief Operations Manager Joseph Mamutse, Zifa Finance and Administrative Manager Benjamin Dhewa, PSL chairman Twine Phiri and the league’s CEO Kenny Ndebele, the clubs face disciplinary action if they do not pay up by tomorrow.

 

In an interview Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said they are not going to leave any stone unturned in their quest to recover the money owed.

 

“The rules are very clear. They should just pay up or face the music,” he said.

 

Munyati on Friday said his club was in a discussion with Zifa to see how they can pay the amount.

 

“We are discussing with Zifa to see how we can pay. On how the International Transfer Certificates were issued, you should ask Zifa as we submitted our requests, which were granted,” said Munyati. CAPS United’s chief executive officer Maxwell Mironga said his club is still discussing the best way to handle the matter.