Matongorere hearing postponed

Sport
Zifa technical director Nelson Matongorere’s hearing took place yesterday, but could not be conducted because two key witnesses are still to testify.

Zifa technical director Nelson Matongorere’s hearing took place yesterday, but could not be conducted because two key witnesses are still to testify.

Sports Correspondent

Matongorere, suspended from football activities for his alleged involvement in the Fifa Ballon d’ Or voting scandal, is facing charges of misconduct.

Zifa lawyer Ralph Maganga said Zifa board member (competitions) Benedict Moyo and former Mighty Warriors captain Onai Chingawo were still to testify.

“The hearing started yesterday (Monday), but it was postponed to October 16 because two other witnesses Benedict Moyo and Onai Chingawo, are still to testify. The hearing ended at 10pm, so it has been postponed ,” Maganga said.

Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze, Mighty Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza and Zifa employee Timothy Mazhindu testified on Monday.

This is the second time the disciplinary hearing has been postponed.

It was supposed to be held on Monday last week, but it was postponed because Matongorere had not been given adequate notice in terms of the statutory instrument.

He had been given a 24-hour notice instead of 72 hours as per statutory instrument, leading to the postponement of the hearing.

Matongorere stands accused of voting as Zimbabwe soccer team captain Tapuwa Kapini in the 2012 awards in the annual selection voted for by journalists, national team coaches and captains.

According to Fifa official voting list, Matongorere voted as the Zimbabwe captain and chose Real Madrid forward Christiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Gerald Pique and eventual winner Lionel Messi in that order.

Matongorere’s case is being heard by a new five-member Zifa disciplinary committee which includes retired referee Wilfred Mukuna, long-serving member of football’s judicial bodies and former magistrate Andrew Msengezi and lawyers Musekiwa Mbanje, Wilbert Mandinde and Watson Muchengeti.