Zimbabwe cricket officials in ‘punch-up over white players’

The divisions and rifts in Zimbabwean cricket came to a head when Zimbabwe Cricket Union director Ozias Bvute got into a fist fight with convenor of selectors Stephen Mangongo, according to several witnesses.

The alleged incidents happened last Thursday, when Zimbabwe were playing Sri Lanka in the last of five international matches.

Bvute had a fight with Mangongo after they disagreed over how many of the white players who have recently been on strike should be included in the Zimbabwe team for the first Test against Sri Lanka which begins in Harare on Thursday, according to several guests and security staff who reported the incident to ZCU officials.

Before that Bvute had stormed into the television commentary section of the media centre at Harare Sports Club and sacked Mpumulelo Mbangwa, a Zimbabwe commentator.

Bvute and Mangongo admitted later in a joint statement that they had had a “physical confrontation” but they denied it had extended to fisticuffs.

Witnesses to their row said Mangongo thought eight whites who have been in dispute with the ZCU but who have resumed training should be included, but Bvute said he was prepared to include three or four at most.

They said later they were discussing “pertinent issues” which led to shouting, then to the fracas.

Several administration and technical staff were present in the TV section when Bvute marched in and told Mbangwa, popularly known as “Pommie,” that he was fired for making observations about the Zimbabwe team’s performance, comments which apparently enraged Bvute.

A ZCU source who was informed about the incident said: “I am told that Pommie later went to see Bvute to discuss it and Bvute relented.”

One of the TV company’s managers, who asked not to be named, confirmed the incident, saying: “Yes, that is exactly what happened.”

Bvute has the authority to sack TV commentators according to the ZCU. He is chairman of the ZCU marketing committee which negotiates TV and other publicity contracts.

Bvute is also in charge of the Union’s integration policy to advance blacks into top levels of the sport, both on and off the field.

Mbangwa, a former Test cricketer with Zimbabwe, has been commentating for several years and is highly regarded by the TV company.

Neither ZCU chairman Peter Chingoka nor Bvute were available for comment. Mbangwa was said to be away.

The white players went on strike in protest at the sacking of former captain Heath Streak. He was replaced by 20-year-old Tatenda Taibu. AFP