SRC advised to reverse Zifa suspensions
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has advised the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to reinstate suspended Felton Kamambo and his executive by the end of the month.
In a report compiled and presented to Parliament last month and titled “THE STATE OF FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION IN ZIMBABWE” that has been circulating on social media, the portfolio committee expressed its concern on overwhelming public outcry following the ban imposed on Zimbabwe by Fifa.
The world governing football body suspended Zifa membership after it deemed the suspension of Zifa board by the SRC “third party interference”.
Contacted for comment, the acting SRC director-general Sebastian Garikai said:
“The SRC is yet to receive an official report from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. However, the SRC has taken note of a report circulating on social media and is studying the report with great interest.”
In April, the Zifa congress recalled Kamambo, Phillemon Machana and Bryton Malandule who they accused of failure to call for an AGM, subsequent failure to appoint Zifa electoral committee, diverting of Covid-19 funds for other uses other than as was agreed at the AGM.
The AGM had resolved that the Covid-19 funds would be used specifically to help with the resumption of football by paying for Covid19 tests and referees fees.
The councillors were deeply concerned with the manner in which the board handled charges of sexual allegation levelled against referees’ bosses, accusing it of protecting a board member instead of football.
Gift Banda was then given the mandate to lead the interim Zifa committee when the assembly unanimously voted to recall Kamambo, Machana and Malandule.
The councillors however, retained Barbara Chikosi, Sugar Chagonda and Farai Jere.
The interim committee has been making frantic efforts to get Zimbabwe readmitted to international football while also concentrating on restoring local football.
Following the Fifa ban, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee sought to understand the administration of football in the country, establish issues surrounding the suspension of Zifa officials by the SRC and come up with recommendations for effective football administration in the country.
The Parliamentarians recommended that the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation ensure that the SRC Board reverses the decision to suspend Zifa chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse by October 31.
Mamutse has not been in office despite the Gift Banda-led interim Zifa board having managed to get his suspension lifted when they went to office in April.
The portfolio committee recommended that:
“By 31 December 2022 the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation should amend section 34 of the SRC Act Chapter 25:15 in order to provide for a fair hearing or a fine or an appeal mechanism before coming up with decision to suspend.
“By end of 31 December 2022 the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation should align the SRC Act Chapter 25:15 with statutes of international federations governing all sport codes especially those that deals with channels of communication and mechanisms of dispute resolution.
During its fact finding, the Portfolio Committee received oral evidence from the acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Benson Dube, SRC board chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa and Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry.
It also analysed written submissions from the Zifa board members.
In their 12-page report, the Portfolio Committee said the Sports Ministry should ensure that SRC makes thorough investigations of cases to avoid questionable decisions. — Follow on Twitter @ZililoR