ZRP honour Matemera
TOP Zimbabwean referee Norman Matemera added another feather to his integrity cap when the Zimbabwe Republic Police honoured him for resisting corruption during a CAF Confederation Cup match in Equatorial Guinea last month.
Matemera is a police officer attested to the ZRP as an assistant inspector.
The match official hogged the limelight for the right reasons last month when he turned down attempts by Desportivo Niefang of Equatorial Guinea who had dangled a $10 000 cash bribe for him to fix their Confederation Cup play- off second leg tie against Cote d’Ivoire’s Williamsville AC.
Matemera reported the matter to his superiors at CAF with the continental football governing body commending him for his actions in which he implicated a Togolese match commissioner, Lawson Late Mawule, who has also since been slapped with a ban by his country’s football leadership.
Yesterday Matemera was honoured by his employers during the opening of the ZRP Criminal Investigations Department with the Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga, handing him a certificate and a cash prize of $5 000.
Matanga commended Matemera for upholding the virtues of integrity and setting the bar for others to follow in the fight against corruption.
“The recipient of this special recognition is a member who has distinguished himself both in policing, as a shrewd strategist, and within the sporting sphere, as an oasis of uprightness and a proponent of Fair Play,’’ said Matanga.
“We are talking of a renowned persona, who has officiated at various local, regional and continental soccer matches with distinction.
‘’ This commendable feat is a compelling practical lesson for all police officers, especially today as we commission the ZRP anti- corruption offices.
“In recognition and honour for exhibiting such integrity and professionalism, I proudly present $5000 in cash to assistant inspector Matemera as a token of the organisation’s appreciation.’’
Matemera said he planned to remain in the correct lane of life as he continues to build a great name for himself.
“To be honest, I’m very happy to have been recognised by my bosses at work and country at large,’’ he said.
“It feels good to know that all the miles I travel in the jungle of African football my ZRP organisation and country are always with me and wishing me all the best.
“I’m proud be a family member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“All other achievements are less important than being recognised and rewarded for integrity. Therefore, I will forever cherish this day the rest of my life.
“To aspiring referees, I want to say come to refereeing to enjoy, work hard and always promote the spirit of Fair Play. There is no shortcut in refereeing you have to go through the mill. “A good name is worth more than riches. “Corruption is like a cancer which, if you are used to it, it will be difficult leave. I, therefore, urge all Zimbabweans not to dare to be involved in corrupt activities. We need to always get what is due to us. If we all shun corruption Zimbabwe will be the best place to live in.
‘’Above all let’s all recognise corruption, resist corruption and report corruption.’’
Matemera, who is the highest ranked Zimbabwean official on the CAF panel, has also grown to become one of the top referees in the Southern African region who handle big COSAFA Cup assignments.