SRC ignores CAF calls for ZIFA reinstatement

Monday Feb 21, 2022. 14:00

Zimbabwe’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) insists that it will continue to ignore calls from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the reinstatement of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).

The government-appointed SRC suspended ZIFA in November last year on accusations of gross incompetence, including alleged sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff and fraud.

CAF secretary general Véron Mosengo-Omba has demanded that the suspension be lifted, but SRC board chairman Gerald Mhlotswa and the minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry are not budging.

“I find it incredible that CAF continues to insist that we reinstate fraudsters and sexual predators, who have cases pending before the courts in Zimbabwe. CAF appears to think that FIFA statutes rule supreme over Zimbabwe law,” Mlotshwa said in a statement as quoted by The Standard.

The prominent lawyer also accused Mosengo-Omba of using a derogatory term against him and Sports minister Coventry, having reportedly said “what is wrong with us Africans in always interfering with football matters”.

“I was extremely concerned when Vernon referred to the minister and I as ‘you Africans’ in a derogatory tone of voice,” said Mlotshwa.

“I recorded the entire conversation. I now know why FIFA find it difficult to deal conclusively with corruption, racism and sexual harassment in football. It’s a part of their culture. That much is obvious.”

While other ZIFA board members such as Farai Jere, Sugar Chagonda and Barbara Chikosi have accepted the suspension, president Felton Kamambo and other executive committee members continued to defy their suspensions.