THE Zifa Southern Region has asked some of its board members, who are club executives in the league, to relinquish their club posts accusing them of conflict of interest, two months away from the next elections.
In correspondences sent to Khumbulani Mbano (Hwange), Tafadzwa Mutowa (Victoria Falls Herentals) and Prince Nyoni (Nkayi United), Zifa Southern Region chairman, Lloyd Munhanga, said the trio must relinquish their positions at their various clubs within 14 days.
Mutowa is vice-chairman.
“We urge you to take immediate action to rectify this situation,” the letter addressed to Mbano read.
“You are required to relinquish your position in Hwange FC within 14 days of the date of this letter.
“Failure to comply may result in further action, including but not limited to suspension or removal from the board.
“Loss of privileges and benefits associated with your position.
“Damage to your reputation within the organisation and the wider community.
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“We expect your prompt response and action to resolve this matter.
“Please confirm in writing your intention to comply with our rules and regulations.”
Munhanga cited the Zifa constitution Article 32.8 which states that a board member cannot hold office in an affiliate.
“However, it has come to our notice that you currently hold a position in the executive board of Hwange FC which creates a conflict of interest,” the letter read.
“As a board member, your fiduciary duty is to act in the best interests of the region.
“Your conflicting roles and actions are not only a breach of our rules and regulations but also undermine the trust and confidence of your fellow board members and stakeholders.”
Mbano said he has not responded to Munhanga’s directive, and will only do so if he is furnished with the statutes that affect his position at his club and at Zifa.
The Hwange FC administrator said action to have him removed comes after his club raised concerns over an alleged underhand plot to see Bulawayo Chiefs win the Zifa Southern Region Soccer League (SRSL) title.
“I did not respond to that letter,” he said.
“What I did was to find out the legislation where they are picking that from, but I did not get an answer because it appears they did not have a source for that.
“What is happening is that we have started to unravel quite a number of things.”
He added: “One of the issues is we are quite concerned that someone from within was aiding Bulawayo Chiefs towards the title.
“We wanted to understand how come the sponsor of the player of the month is also a Bulawayo Chiefs’ sponsor.
“When we talk of conflict of interest, who is conflicted?
“Me or the league itself by allowing one of the participants to sponsor the league?”
Mbano said the directive was questionable.
“How does someone write that letter when they know that committee is there through the clubs’ mandate?” he asked.
“When that committee was co-opted all the board members belonged to clubs.
“Then someone says rules and regulations and statutes now when there were 38 transgressions that we note and you pin one.”
Nyoni and Mutowa have also not responded to the directive.
The board members were unanimously co-opted into office by the SRSL when the Andrew Tapela-led committee was expelled in 2022.
The regional Zifa elections nominations close on October 21 and candidates will be notified on October 21 with November 6 being the final day to submit any missing documents.
Elections will be held between December 6 and 15.
