The Sunday Mail
BERNARD JIRO’S reign at the helm of the Harare Basketball Association came to an end last week after a Basketball Union of Zimbabwe-instituted commission of inquiry resolved to uphold his dismissal.
BUZ set up the commission following the ouster of Jiro and his predecessor Ngoni Mukukula barely three months into their terms.
First to get the axe was Mukukula, who was forced to step down last December after he struck a player during a heated clash between his side Raiderz and eventual women’s champions Vixens.
Jiro succeeded Mukukula after beating Andrew Chitauro, Gladys Phiri and Craig Manuel to the post.
However, he had hardly warmed his chair when he faced the same fate.
Allegations against Jiro include misuse of funds and making unilateral decisions.
Jiro challenged the decision and BUZ instituted a commission of inquiry.
The commission, headed by BUZ secretary-general Joe Mujuru, last week asked HBA clubs to vote on the matter, sources revealed.
“After its deliberations the commission came up with a recommendation that the general council be allowed to vote at an emergency general meeting.
“A total of 14 clubs voted supporting the decision to axe Jiro, while nine were against it. A total of 23 of the 25 clubs in HBA voted,” said a source.
Jiro told The Sunday Mail Sport that he was awaiting formal communication from BUZ.
“It was only after the executive’s vote of no confidence that I found out about the allegations and it was through the newspaper. I was never formally charged or given the chance to express my side of the story and it is the same with this latest development.
“At the moment I am waiting for the official word from BUZ who have been notified of my grievances,” he said.
