Controversy is brewing after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) moved to appoint prominent radio and television personality Tichafa ‘Tich Mataz’ Matambanadzo as one of its five chief executives. The ‘Midas Touch’ is expected to lead the Eastern region of the newly created cricket franchise system.
But with Mataz facing a pending case for allegedly defrauding the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe the cricket board is heavily split over making the appointment. Matambanadzo who played a prominent role in promoting President Robert Mugabe with jingles for last year’s violent run-off election was arrested by police in March this year.
Police say Matambanadzo and Tendai Chamba – who are the directors of a private company, Family Choice (Subvented Solutions) (Pvt) Limited, failed to supply 1 551 food hampers to the RBZ under the BACOSSI programme after allegedly receiving payment in advance from the central bank.
Meanwhile in other appointments, advertising executive Hugo Ribatika will be CEO for Northerns, the largest franchise which is based in Harare while Stanley Staddon will run Westerns, who have requested to change their name to Matabeleland Warriors.
Givemore Makoni will take charge of Southerns, and Kenyon Ziehl will boss Centrals. Ozias Bvute, the ZC managing director said the appointment of the Eastern Region will be done in due course.
The new franchise system follows on recommendations by the International Cricket Council task team, which visited the country last year. The franchises will contract players and source their own sponsorship in addition to the annual grant from Zimbabwe Cricket. Staff Reporters/Radio VOP.
