BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The newly appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) that sensationally suspended the entire Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board on Friday is set to continue its purge on errant local sports associations with the bungling Zifa next in line following the Afcon player mutiny fiasco.
SRC, led by board chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa, a son-in-law of President Emmerson Munangagwa, expressed concern with events that occurred on the eve of the Afcon finals where players boycotted training and threatened not to fulfil the match against Egypt.
The statutory local sport regulatory and governing body revealed that it would instigate an investigation on events in Egypt once the competition is over and vowed to “institute the necessary and decisive disciplinary measures”.
“The SRC notes with great concern the disturbing reports, both on social media and formal media, emanating from events in Egypt relating to the circumstances of the Warriors. The SRC notes that the ultimate responsibility for the administration of football in Zimbabwe lies squarely on Zifa’s shoulders,” read the SRC press statement released on Friday.
“The SRC will investigate thoroughly all allegations relating to Zifa’s shortcomings and will institute the necessary and decisive disciplinary measures once facts have been established with all material stakeholders.
“In the meantime, the SRC calls upon the nation to focus and rally behind our beloved Warriors, with the promise of remedial action once the Afcon tournament is over,” it concluded. Incepted on June 1, the new commission, which is already showing more resolve than its predecessors, suspended the entire ZC board led by Tavengwa Mukhuhlani for defying the order not to hold an elective congress last week.
Also suspended was ZC acting managing director Givemore Makoni.
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In spite of the SRC’s directive, ZC went on to hold the elective annual general meeting in June 14, where Mukhuhlani was retained as the chairman.
SRC had noted complaints regarding the nomination process and violations of the ZC constitution as reasons for the suspension of the ZC elections.
The new board also announced that it would appoint a new independent forensic audit firm to look into the financial activities of ZC amid allegations of misappropriation of funds. While SRC’s move could see ZC suspended from international cricket due to government interference, the sports body appears ready to clean up local sport at any cost.
In fact, the purge is likely to cascade to other sports associations riddled with mediocrity, controversy and poor management.
“From a national perspective, it is the SRC that authorises the award and wearing of all national colours, and the undertaking of any tours within and without Zimbabwe in respect of all disciplines falling under its jurisdiction.
“The omission in the past, for whatever reason, to ensure for rigorous compliance by national sports associations and clubs in regard to their respective institutions, has manifested itself in depressingly visible examples.
“Many sports codes are riddled with intrigues and controversy all stemming from constitutional and governance deficiencies, including, saying the least, poor financial management
“It has been a disturbing trend that, as a result of these deficiencies, recourse has been made, often at the 11th hour, to government by the affected association seeking funding for activities many months within prior knowledge of those that should be responsible for the adequate planning of these events,” the SRC prelude to ZC’s suspension read.
However, the suspension of the ZC board has raised eyebrows with certain quarters claiming that the SRC board chairman has vested interest in cricket and is out to settle scores.
SRC appointed a new ZC interim committee led by veteran cricket administrator Dave Ellman-Brown to run the affairs of cricket.
The committee includes Retired Justice Ahmed Ibrahim, Charlie Robertson, former Mashonaland Cricket Association chairman Cyprian Mandenge, Robertson Chinyengetere, Sekesai Nhokwara and Duncan Frost.
