AN attempt to blackmail ZIFA president Felton Kamambo by emissaries Xolisani Gwesela and Wellington Mpandare allegedly sent by the Sports and Recreation Commission Chairman Gerald Mlotshwa has resulted in the suspension of the two earlier today.
Mlotshwa allegedly sent the duo to persuade him to fire certain ZIFA board members, and in return, the SRC would not publish alleged damming information they have on Kamambo.
However, this afternoon, the ZIFA Executive Committee met in Harare and resolved to suspend the blackmail masterminds without pay and benefits.
ZIFA General Secretary Joseph Mamutse wrote to Gwesela, Warriors manager Mpandare and Northern Region Executive Committee member Martin Kweza advising them of the suspension. Kweza has of late been very vocal as he openly declared his disdain for the Kamambo led executive.
Gwesela’s charges read, “unlawful attempt to blackmail the ZIFA president and cause divisions within the ZIFA Executive Committee leading to football being ungovernable, wherein you in the presence of Mpandare sought for a private meeting with the ZIFA president on Saturday January 29, 2022 where you mentioned in the said meeting that you have been sent by the SRC Chairman Gerald Mlothswa to try and convince the president to agree to expel certain members of the ZIFA board failure of which would result in the SRC publishing what you termed damaging information relating to several ZIFA transactions involving board allowances and procurement, whatever that meant,” read the letter.
“You did this knowing that blackmail and coercion is an act of misconduct and also entangling yourself in football purging and politics that were prevailing at the time.”
Gwesela will be required to hand over the Association’s belongings to the General Secretary and not to be seen anyway near the football motherbody’s offices.
“The suspension is with immediate effect and effective until the finalisation of the disciplinary hearing to be conducted details of which you shall be notified in due process,” read Gwesela’s suspension letter from Zifa General Secretary, Joseph Mamutse.
“The employer has reason to believe that you were in…contravention of section four (a) of statutory instrument 15 of 2006, that is, Any act of conduct or omission inconsistent with the express or implied conditions of his or her conduct…contravention of section four (b) of statutory instrument 15 of 2006, that is, Wilful disobedience to a lawful order.”
Gwesela has had several charges levelled against him. He will be given an opportunity to exonerate himself of any wrongdoing at a disciplinary hearing yet to be confirmed.
“You shall be notified of the date and venue of the disciplinary hearing for your matter in due course,” added Mamutse.
“You are required to do and serve us with your response to the allegations levelled against you at least 48 hours before the scheduled days of the hearing.”
Some of the allegations he faces include “convening an unsanctioned EGM on January 29, 2022 wherein you issued a notice of the said meeting without express authority of the Executive Committee as is provided under section 28(2) of Zifa constitution,” read the letter.
“Misrepresentation by lying in your notice that you had authenticated the petition which called for the said EGM when it was just congress delegates. Even after being called on in writing to show evidence of the so-called verification, you completely ignored this lawful enquiry from the GS and a subsequent reminder on the same. Further, as proof of lack of verification, it is common knowledge that the alleged petitioners were not members of ZIFA as stipulated in the constitution but congress delegates whose powers do not include calling for an EGM.
“Usurping board powers to call for EGM by individually deciding on a matter which is a preserve of the Executive Committee as stipulated by section 28(2) of the Zifa constitution. You also appointed the National team coaches in contravention of ZIFA statutes even after having been advised against that act.”
Gwesela is also accused of usurping the powers of the General Secretary without authority and allegedly went on to write several correspondences without express authority.
“Unlawfully remove the GS from official ZIFA email mailing list wherein you on Monday, January 24, 2022, caused and directed that the General Secretary be prevented from accessing the official ZIFA email without any lawful authority to act that way,” Mamutse said.
“Hold illegal meetings with the Sports Recreation Commission (SRC) wherein you held several unauthorised football-related meetings with third parties including the SRC to prosecute football business. This position was even confirmed by yourself and Wellington Mpandare in the referred meeting with the ZIFA president.
“Taking unlawful instructions from third parties without ZIFA authority where you executed several football decisions under instruction from third parties without any authority from your superiors. Fraudulently acquiring and using without authority minutes of ZIFA Executive Committee where you without authority gave certain delegates of ZIFA congress minutes of the ZIFA board meetings which the delegates went on to attach on various correspondence with stakeholders and third parties.”
He is also accused of undermining the Association’s president Felton Kamambo and aiding the plot for his downfall.
ZIFA also wielded the axe on several key football administrators. These include the Premier Soccer League chief executive Kennedy Ndebele and chairpersons of Dynamos, Highlanders, CAPS United, and Manica Diamond, among others, who were put on suspension.
This follows the committee’s meeting in Harare today. The suspension is with immediate effect.
