The Sunday Mail
EMBATTLED Zimbabwe Cricket have turned to former managing director Ozias Bvute as they bid to solve the salary impasse with the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers’ Association
However, the move appears to have further stalked the flames, which saw the start of the domestic season being delayed, as the firebrand Bvute is accusing ZPCA of being used by foreign interests.
During a meeting held in the capital a fortnight ago, Bvute is said to have accused ZPCA secretary general Eliah Zvimba of being “full of crap and making unrealistic demands”.
“Bvute was introduced as the ZC adviser and he wasted no time in laying into Zvimba whom he accused of being used by hostile interests who are keen on seeing the local game stall. He just came short of mentioning a race.
“You know Ozias, he shoots from the hip. He said the demands being made by the players were outrageous and gave the example of his wife who is a doctor. He said ‘my wife is a doctor and she gets less than $300 from the Government of Zimbabwe and you want us to pay $800 to a boy who is just coming out of school?’
“The attack took Zvimba by surprise,” disclosed a source who attended the meeting.
Zvimba confirmed Bvute’s appearance at the meeting and accused the former ZC boss of using intimidatory tactics.
“It was not a meeting, I was just told to sit and listen to what they had agreed on. They wanted me to endorse that but I refused,” he claimed.
“I was not impressed with the behaviour shown at that meeting. (Ozias) Bvute appeared saying he is the ZC board adviser, ordering me to endorse their agreements without considering our requests.
“I wanted to walk away from the meeting after realising I was not a participant but was forced to stay,” he said.
According to the latest ZC offer, each franchise will offer 13 contracts while other squad members will be put on an earn-as-you-play deals, getting $50 and $100 for a one-day game and a four-day match respectively.
Those with grade A contracts will earn $1 500 a month, those in the B category will get $1 000, C ($800) D ($500) and E contract holders will take home $300 per month.The players have turned down the offer.
“We are saying $300 is not enough for players to acquire kits, cater for their families and themselves, at least let’s meet half-way.
“The least paid player must get $400 and those on earn-as you-play should get an increment too,” said Zvimba, who added that they also requested ZC to increase their monthly franchise budget to $13 000 up from $ 10500.
ZC say they will continue engaging the players but refused to confirm whether Bvute was part of their team during the last meeting.
“Friday’s meeting was the latest that Zimbabwe Cricket and the ZPCA had and will continue to have given our common purpose. As to the composition of the ZC delegation to the meeting and the discussions therein, given that this was not a public gathering, we hold such issues confidential to the two parties whose meeting it was. What we consider in the public interest, we have posted on our website,” said ZC in response to written questions.
Bvute confirmed being at the meeting but referred all questions to ZC.
