Swazigate: Police called in
By Nigel Matongorere
Sports minister Makhosini Hlongwane said police have been engaged to investigate the latest match-fixing scandal to engulf local football.
Zifa board member for development Edzai Kasinauyo and assistant Warriors coach Nation Dube have been suspended after the association allegedly unearthed a plot to fix the forthcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
Former Zifa CEO Henrietta Rushwaya and ex-Warriors coach Ian Gorowa have also been alleged to be key players in the scandal which was being orchestrated by Wilson Raj Perumal’s young brother only known as the “Chief” from his South African base.
“The minister of Sport . . . also had a discussion with the minister of Home Affairs . . . Ignatius Chombo which discussion agreed that the law must take its course,” Hlongwane yesterday.
“ . . . also has had a discussion with the Attorney-General (Prince Machaya) this afternoon, which agreed on the need for a comprehensive legislation on match-fixing, and that work on this important piece of legislation should begin in earnest.
“Further, I call upon all athletes, technical teams and other players deployed to national teams and other work stations, to have a sense of patriotism and dutiful diligence in the exercise of their tasks.”
Hlongwane said he had been privy to the “evidence” in Zifa’s hands and has ordered the association to make a police report.
The Mberengwa East legislator also reviewed that the betting syndicate approached three Warriors to try and convince them to throw away the match against Swaziland.
They first approached one goalkeeper in South Africa, who is believed to be Polokwane City shot stopper George Chigova, who turned down their advances before alerting Warriors coach Calisto Pasuwa.
They made another attempt to coerce another player believed to be Pretoria University defender Partson Jaure, who chased them away.
In Jaure’s case, there was actually a scuffle as the former DeMbare defender intended to beat up the suspect before he alerted Pasuwa.
A third attempt was made on Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, who also spurned their advances. Daily News
