The Sunday Mail
Petros Kausiyo
Sports Editor
AMID the uproar from ZIFA that followed the Sport and Recreation Commission’s move to suspend the association’s chief executive, Joseph Mamutse, the sports regulatory institution insist they remain committed to constructive dialogue with the soccer mother body.
ZIFA have not taken kindly to the announcement by the SRC that they have suspended Mamutse, along with the commission’s director-general Prince Mupazviriho, for allegedly flouting procedures related to the clearance of national teams to travel to South Africa.
The association stands accused of not fully satisfying the Sports Commission on compliance with governance tenets.
In the latest response by ZIFA to the SRC move, Mamutse took his suspension to the Administrative Court, challenging the commission in his individual capacity.
ZIFA lawyer Chenaimoyo Gumiro revealed yesterday that apart from the association’s appeal, Mamutse had filed his own with the same court.
“We filed it yesterday . . . it was served on the SRC on Friday.
“We have also been served with an appeal by Joseph Mamutse. So what it means is that ZIFA filed its own appeal to the Administrative Court and Mamutse also filed his own appeal with the same court.
“At law, an appeal suspends the decision. Mamutse’s appeal means his suspension has been suspended if there is no response from the SRC by end of business on Monday (tomorrow).
“The SRC can choose to apply for a stay of execution if they so wish, but if that is not done, then Mamutse bounces back into office,” Gumiro said.
ZIFA had claimed that Mamutse had gone on leave, although it emerged that their CEO had stopped coming to the office after being served with his suspension letter by the commission.
It is that suspension which is he now challenging in his individual capacity.
Despite the litigation from ZIFA and the sustained attacks by the association on the commission, largely targeted at their chairman Gerald Mlotshwa and commissioner Nigel Munyati, the regulatory body was yesterday casting a brotherly figure.
Acting SRC director-general Sebastian Garikai said the commission would not shy away from their obligations to facilitate growth of the game and do their checks and balances on compliance to regulations of all associations registered with them.
More importantly, was the fact that despite the sensational public fallout between the two parties, the commission remained amenable to dialogue with ZIFA and was willing to help the association get it right in their weak areas.
“SRC sees and relates with ZIFA like any other registered National Sport Association — a partnership in national development, allocating sport an appropriate place in the broader national development process. The latter is the delivery agent and former provides an enabling environment through statutes and regulations within the confines of the Zimbabwean law among other things.
“In this regard the development strategies of the respective National Sport Associations should be in sync with the strategies and trajectory of the country. This common ground and understanding in a relationship between the SRC and a National Association is fertile for the advancement of the development of both institutions for the benefit of the nation.
“What obtains in respect of the relationship between SRC and ZIFA therefore is really a mixed bag. Of late, we have experienced both positive and negative developments in the relationship,’’ Garikai said.
He maintained that the SRC was not amused by the manner in which ZIFA allegedly undertook some foreign trips without approval.
“The real bone of contention arises from the fact that ZIFA embarked on foreign tours for the senior national women, Under-20 girls and Under-17 boys’ teams without receiving the approval letters.
“As a regulatory body, the SRC is mandated by law to institute corrective processes in line with the Sports and Recreation Commission Act. What this means is that the SRC has a dual role to play, namely-:
i. Providing an enabling environment through capacitation and advice to National Sport Associations on different matters that affect their operations in line with the Sports Recreation Act.
ii. Enforcement of rules and regulations in the sport and recreation sector to ensure that National Sport Associations conduct their activities in a transparent and accountable manner in line with best corporate governance practices. As SRC we always seek to engage our National Sport Associations on compliance matters,’’ he said.
ZIFA are also understood to be still sitting on a request by the commission to submit a report on the debacle that characterised the Warriors’ doomed 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt.
“Unfortunately, SRC is yet to receive a full comprehensive response to the letter and the matter remains open. This and other current issues are the reasons why SRC has begun to institute several actions with regard to ZIFA’’.
Garikai spoke about the threat by ZIFA to report the Commission to FIFA for alleged interference in the governance of football.
“It is our belief that International Sport Federations, Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and SRC share a common interest in having a properly administered National Sport Association that acts in the best interest of athletes, the public and the nation at large. Previously, SRC has communicated to FIFA with regard to issues affecting football in Zimbabwe. We believe we share a common ground with FIFA for the development of football in Zimbabwe’’.
He noted that ZIFA were exercising their right to seek redress in a court of law while they had suspended their own director-general in order to fully probe the circumstances surrounding the alleged transgressions of the SRC Act.
“It is well within their right to take the matter to the courts. SRC will allow and abide by the laws and regulations governing this process.
“The suspension of the director-general is an internal process that allows full investigations to be done with regard to national teams travel to South Africa without the necessary approval letters. This alone is testament to the fact that SRC shall not entertain any form of mismanagement or flouting of rules and regulations’’.
Although ZIFA have responded with anger to the SRC move, with an ugly spat ensuing between the two parties, Garikai said the commission would not abdicate its fatherly role.
“Sometimes parents do fight with their children as they instil a preferred value and belief system and communication must never be hostile but developmental in a respectful manner. Likewise, in any regulatory role tensions and differences arise. Ultimately, we should never lose sight of the overall objective — that of sport development. In this regard, the Sport and Recreation Commission is always available for further engagements,’’ Garikai said.
The trajectory of that engagement process could be shaped by the outcome of both ZIFA and Mamutse’s appeals in the Administrative Court tomorrow.
