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‘Mnangagwa refusing to change… delivering violence and corruption’

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Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya from the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) appearing on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in this file photo from August 2019
Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya from the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) appearing on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in this file photo from August 2019

By Nyashadzashe Ndoro

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is refusing to change the “authoritarian” system that was used by the late former president Robert Mugabe to govern the country, political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has told the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya appearing on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in this file photo from August 2019 Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya appearing on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in this file photo from August 2019

On Monday, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who recently exposed alleged government corruption involving President Mnangagwa’s son, Collins in the supply of coronavirus supplies, was arrested and charged with inciting citizens to “participate in public violence.”

Speaking to the SABC on Saturday, Ruhanya said the arrest of journalist was evidence that the country was being run by an authoritarian regime similar to Mugabe’s administration.

Since the overthrow of the late former president Robert Mugabe, by the military in November 2017, “there has never been fundamental changes in the institutional framework, in the institutional governance framework of the republic of Zimbabwe,” Ruhanya argued.

“So, the predatory, extractive, parasitic nature of the party state military complex did not change. So, what changed was the face of the president but the system which is violent, corrupt and predatory did not change.

“So, what we saw in November 2017 was not a change of guard but a change of the structures, the institutions and the agencies that are responsible for corruption and human rights violations.

“For instance, where in the world have you ever heard of a journalist who masterminded the overthrow of a government.

“How does it happen that a journalist who exposes corruption, graft, human rights violations, things that the government does not dispute that there have been massive human rights violations, massive corruption to do with Covid-19 PPEs and they go on to arrest the journalist who is assisting the public to understand what is going on in the state amidst the coronavirus pandemic.”

Ruhanya added that the Zanu PF regime was corrupt and has failed to deliver its promises.

“It will be unfortunate for us to address hallucinations of a failed regime. Those are delusions of a corrupt, authoritarian regime that is failing to deliver on its promises.

“They came as a new dispensation, they came as open for business, they came trying to do business with the international community but what they are delivering is corruption.

“What they are delivering is violence, and surely violence, corruption cannot redeem a State that has been going under political and economic decomposition for the past four years.

“They have not changed how the State was operating under Mugabe and as a result the problems that Zimbabwe faced during Mugabe period are the same problems that the country is facing under Mnangagwa because he is refusing to change. He is refusing to reform the political system.

“They want to reform the economy under authoritarian tutelage without reforming the political but the economic regeneration of Zimbabwe is tied to its political regeneration. So, there can never be economic regeneration without political regeneration.

“So, the political regeneration and economic regeneration are tied together. It is difficult to have marketisation of the economy without marketisation of the politics and democratisation of politics.

“Mnangagwa wants to have marketisation of the economy without democratization. That is why they are going for journalists. What is tragic and sad is that Zimbabweans did not expect that the country would sink this low after Mugabe,” Ruhanya added.

Chin’ono was Friday denied bail by the magistrates court and this raised speculations about the integrity of the justice delivery in the country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Friday issued a statement and called for an end to the “pattern of intimidation” seen in Zimbabwe, warning that authorities may be using the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to “clamp down” on freedom of expression.

“We are concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association,” a spokesperson for High Commissioner Liz Throssell. Nehanda Radio

Tafi Mhaka: The war veterans have destroyed Zimbabwe

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Tafi Mhaka
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Tafi Mhaka, a social and political commentator, has a BA Honours degree from the University of Cape Town
Tafi Mhaka, a social and political commentator, has a BA Honours degree from the University of Cape Town

By Tafi Mhaka

As the debate on the planned July 31 demonstration rages, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Chris Mutsvangwa is seething with anger.

Tafi Mhaka is a Johannesburg-based writer and commentator. His debut novel, Mutserendende: The African in Us, is scheduled for release in 2020. Follow him on @tafimhaka / tafi.mhaka
Tafi Mhaka is a Johannesburg-based writer and commentator. His debut novel, Mutserendende: The African in Us, is scheduled for release in 2020. Follow him on @tafimhaka / tafi.mhaka

Mutsvangwa has described the masses that want to demonstrate against endemic corruption, joblessness and hyperinflation as hired troublemakers and disloyal activists.

Today, the very people that have worked hard to make Zimbabwe what it is, stand accused of seeking to betray it.

Yet the construction workers earning US$16 a month, for example, aren’t particularly affiliated to any political agenda.

They are just ordinary people, hoping for better, struggling to survive.

Add to that the partisan operation of the state-owned media, and it’s clear that the people are not permitted to express alternative views publicly or seek support for new political ideas and leaders using publicly owned media.

Only the chosen few, like Mutsvangwa, have a voice at the Herald and ZBC.

But the war veterans don’t speak for Zimbabweans like me, and don’t have Zimbabwe’s best interests at heart.

Time and again, especially in 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2018, war veterans have worked against the dignity of establishing a peaceful and democratic nation.

They have, over the years, supported the Zanu-PF men and women long behind the plunder of Zimbabwe’s natural resources and meagre financial resources.

They have intimidated, beaten and killed MDC supporters, while actively smothering political and economic development.

And they have, unfortunately, destroyed Zimbabwe’s potential.

But our values, including the right and means to express dissent and contribute towards the establishment of a prosperous state, must be representative of every Zimbabwean.

That is the part the war veterans’ leadership miss: Zanu-PF doesn’t ‘own’ Zimbabwe, and they don’t represent Zimbabwe’s population.

The greatest Zimbabweans I have met have laboured and stood at street corners, fixing shoes and selling cigarettes, sweets and old clothes.

They have driven cars, buses and tractors to put food on the table.

They have grown vegetables at home, not as a gratifying hobby, but as a means to stave off hunger and economic hardship.

They have forgone basic essentials to send their children to school, frightened at the notion of bequeathing poverty to their loved ones.

And they have borne the lion’s share of the hard, backbreaking work, paid taxes dutifully and lived peaceful lives.

They have, in many ways, made Zimbabwe what it is, a land where the political elites and leading war veterans are an enormously wealthy, dishonest and entitled lot.

Instead of displaying gratitude for the economic sacrifices Zimbabweans have made towards their welfare, war veterans believe they have the right to castigate and criminalise the people aggrieved by desperation.

Instead of joining the march against corruption, the war veterans are promoting the problematic status quo.

Instead of mobilising support for clean governance, the war veterans are praising political mayhem.

Instead of uniting Zimbabweans, the war veterans are preaching hatred and division.

However, everyone has a right to voice his or her unhappiness with Zimbabwe’s extensive predicament.

So while the war veterans can sabotage the planned July 31 demonstration, they cannot silence the voice of the people.

Tafi Mhaka is a Johannesburg-based writer and commentator. His debut novel, Mutserendende: The African in Us, is scheduled for release in 2020. Follow him on @tafimhaka / tafi.mhaka

Chaos rocks MDC-T ahead of congress

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By Moses Matenga

Chaos and fierce factional fights continue to rock the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T faction after a camp sympathetic to acting secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora nominated him to take over as party leader ahead of the planned extraordinary congress.

Thokozani Khupe (centre) surrounded by Douglas Mwonzora (left), Elias Mudzuri and Morgen Komichi (right)
Thokozani Khupe (centre) surrounded by Douglas Mwonzora (left), Elias Mudzuri and Morgen Komichi (right)

The development reportedly irked acting party chairperson Morgen Komichi, who on Thursday threatened disciplinary action against officials who organised the meeting that nominated Mwonzora.

“That was an illegal process that was not authorised by the leadership,” Komichi said.

“People should not do things without instructions from national leadership and things that are unconstitutional. I don’t know why they are doing that and who gave them the instruction to cause unnecessary problems. That is indiscipline and we don’t like that kind of behaviour. That was a bogus nomination not authorised by anyone.

“People were secretly called to that meeting and we were not even present as leadership. It was just a small team of stubborn people and we don’t know who gave them that instruction and we will investigate.”

The meeting was reportedly attended by 38 people and chaired by Simon Hove.

“The ground rules of the party shall be set and a neutral electoral board appointed and tasked to run all processes leading up to the extraordinary congress,” Komichi said.

Mwonzora could not be reached for comment. NewsDay

‘I’m not Benjani, but Mpenjani’

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By Munyaradzi Madzokere | NewsDay |

Benjani Mwaruwari is one of the finest football exports to emerge from the local scene. And yet interestingly, Benjani is not even his original name.

Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari
Former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari

When he was born in the City of Bulawayo back in 1978, his late father Amon christened him Mpenjani, a Malawian name, but people at the birth and death registry office got it wrong and named him Benjani.

As his football star grew, he became Benjamin in Zimbabwe and South African football circles; and it was only when he joined AJ Auxerre in France that he became Benjani again.

And Benjani was loved in France just as he was also loved at Portsmouth and Manchester City in England.

The fact is that few people got his first name and surname correct. Some still call him Mwaruwaru up to today. Yet, it didn’t deter him from achieving great things in his football career.

Benjani finally cleared the air regarding his real name in an interview with South African sports caster Robert Marawa on his radio programme Legends Night at the weekend.

“My real name is Mpenjani. But you know my father is from Malawi, so the pronunciation is not that great. So when he went to get my birth certificate they thought he said Benjani. And so on my birth certificate, it’s written Benjani,” the former Warriors striker revealed.

“When I was playing in Zimbabwe, the person who was writing the team card did not look properly on my particulars and he wrote Benjamin, instead of Benjani.

“So that is where the name Benjamin came from. In Zimbabwe, everyone knew me as Benjamin and in South Africa as well,” the former Manchester City and Portsmouth forward added.

Mpenjani, which means “what do you want”, comes from the Ngoni language, which is a Bantu language of Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Affectionately known as the Undertaker, Benjani made a name for himself locally, playing for the now-defunct Air Zimbabwe Jets before joining Jomo Cosmos in South Africa. He would later move overseas to play his football for FC Zurich in Switzerland and proceeding to Auxerre, Portsmouth and Manchester City.

In Europe, he was simply known as Benjani.

“In France, it was difficult for them to pronounce my surname, it was too big for them to say Mwaruwari and my coach (at Auxerre) said this one is easy and they put Benjani on my shirt. They got it right because they saw that it was written Benjani on my documents,” Mwaruwari said.

“But those who know me from Magwegwe, where I grew up, call me Mpe. So if I meet someone and he or she calls me Mpe, I know that they know me very well,” his said.

Mwaruwari is one of the few players to have flown the Zimbabwean flag in the English top-tier league, scoring 19 goals in 70 appearances for Portsmouth over two seasons.

At Manchester City, Benjani found the net four times in 23 outings.

The 41-year-old Zimbabwean ended his football career at Bidvest Wits, South Africa, in 2014.Mwaruwari, who harbours dreams to lead Zimbabwean football one day, is currently studying towards a sports management qualification in England.

He is also pursuing his coaching badges and is halfway through his Uefa A certificate and is currently attached to former paymasters Portsmouth.

Zim Central Bank tightens screws on foreign currency use

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By Fani Mapfumo | Zim Morning Post |

Business entities which have not complied with the moral suasion directive to display prices for goods and services in Zimbabwe dollar and foreign currency at the ruling market exchange rate will now face the full wrath of the law, Zimbabwe’s central bank has said.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya (Picture by Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg)
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya (Picture by Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg)

This follows the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020 published on 24 July 2020.

“Pursuant to the Bank’s Press Statement of 17 June 2020 directing providers of goods and services to display, quote or offer prices for such goods and services in Zimbabwe dollar and foreign currency at the ruling market exchange rate as determined by the foreign exchange auction, a significant number of business entities have taken heed of this requirement,” RBZ governor John Mangudya said in a statement.

“Regrettably some business entities have not complied with the moral suasion directive. With the amendment of the law now having been effected through Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020 published on 24 July 2020, the law will now take its course in respect of non-compliance.”

Turning to the Foreign Exchange Auction, Mangudya said since the inception of the Foreign Exchange Auction System on 23 June 2020, all weekly Foreign Exchange Auctions have been conducted smoothly and bids have been settled on a timely basis.

“The Foreign Exchange Auction has so far been able to achieve its main purpose of price discovery in order to reduce exchange rate volatility, stabilise prices and enhance transparency in the management of foreign exchange,” he said.

“To date, a total amount of US$71.1 million has been traded on the Foreign Exchange Auction, with the number of bids increasing from 92 at the commencement on 23 June 2020 to 290 bids received on the recent Foreign Exchange Auction of 21 July 2020,” Mangudya continued.

“Funds allotted were mainly utilised for productive sector import requirements including procurement of raw materials and packaging (US$32.1 million), machinery, plant, equipment and spares (US$18.2 million) procurement of medicines, chemicals and consumer goods (US$16.5 million) and services (US$4.3 million).”

The central bank said priority shall continue to be given to productive sector imports whilst service and capital payments will be restricted to no more than 20% of auction allotments.

Turning to the ruled of the Foreign Currency Auction, Mangudya said “a few have been found wanting for various reasons ranging from failure to abide by Exchange Control Regulations and failure to disclose to their bankers their foreign currency account balances, especially by multi-banked entities.”

“It is against this context that, going forward, all bidders are required to sign a declaration of compliance with the Foreign Exchange Auction Rules,” he added.

“Failure to make the declaration and false declaration will result in penalties including bid rejection. Banks should continue to conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) to ensure that funds are used for permissible and legitimate transactions and to adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) principles to safeguard the integrity of both the Foreign Exchange Auction System and the banking system as a whole.”

Banking cash

“Individuals and entities are reminded to bank cash received from the sale or provision of goods and services as required by the Bank Use Promotion Act [Chapter 24:24],” Mangudya said.

“The requirement to bank cash extends to foreign currency received in respect of sale or provision of goods and services. Banking of cash will enhance circulation of money within the economy.”

Sale of Petroleum Products

The RBZ said Oil Marketing Companies and retailers of petroleum products are also required to display, quote or offer prices for petroleum products in Zimbabwe dollar and in foreign currency as
required by law.

“All foreign currency realised from the sale of petroleum products should be banked in the domestic foreign currency accounts which shall be subject to monitoring by the Bank’s Exchange Control Division and the Financial Intelligence Unit,” Mangudya said.

“Banking of sales proceeds will assist the efficient replenishment of petroleum products in the market.”

Zesa executive chairman Gata in corruption storm

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Sydney Gata
Sydney Gata

By Elias Mambo | Zim Morning Post |

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) executive chairperson Sydney Gata has been sucked in a corruption storm where among other things, he is accused of diverting the entity’s projects, abusing public funds, and paying his company’s employees using public funds, the Zim Morning Post can exclusively report.

Sydney Gata
Sydney Gata

Gata, according to a detailed report sent to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, also subverted Zesa funds to pay employees who have nothing to do with the power supply utility.

Diversion of projects

The report details how Gata has been using a private entity, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Industry Trust (ZESIT) to carry out projects meant to be done by Zesa.

“ZESIT is passed off as one of the Zesa Holdings related entities when in fact it has no relationship whatsoever with Zesa Holdings,” reads the report.

“The entity is private project, which is the brainchild and mastered by Dr Gata and some of his erstwhile colleagues Zesa.”

Among projects already diverted, according to the report, include the Tuli mining project which the Zesa board approved as a proposal between Zesa and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

ZESIT has also taken over the KEPCO project which is supposed to be a project being run by Zesa and Korean companies called KEPCO and POSCO.

Ghost employees

Gata is also accused of using Zesa funds to pay for employees who have nothing to do the power supply entity.

“Engineer Peter Mutsaka has been placed on the Zesa payroll without a contract.

“He draws salary from and utilises public funds but has no contract with the company as either an employee or consultant?

“Peter Mutsaka is a promoter of a company called Liberation Mining that is also seeking to work with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) is doing work for the company having been sponsored by the executive chairman.”

Gata is also accused of having sought for cabinet authority so that some ZPC representatives were to travel to South Africa in March 2020.

“On the list, one Engineer Peter Tshuma was designated as head of projects and engineering at Zesa.

“It must be noted that Engineer Tshuma is not a Zesa employee. According to Zesa records Tshuma ceased to be a Zesa employee 31 years ago in 1989.

“In order to further his personal interests, the executive chairman also included Engineer Mutsinya and one Shumani Mhlanga in the delegation whose all expenses were to be paid for by ZPC.”

This report is coming at a time when Gata is suing Zesa for a US$10 million claim as his retrenchment package when he was relieved of his duties in 2007.

The court documents seen by the Zim Morning Post revealed that Gata, among other claims, wants US$1,2 million (Severance pay), $3 million (salary basic pay), $1,8 million (Vehicle hire, maintenance, fuel), $100 000 (Provision of domestic staff), $51 000 (provision of personal driver), as well as $135 000 being furniture fire insurance claim.

Court rules Hopewell Chin’ono a danger to public, extends detention – VIDEO

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Nehanda Radio
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By MacDonald Dzirutwe

A Zimbabwean court ruled on Friday that a journalist charged with inciting violence was a danger to the public and extended his detention until August, while the United Nations expressed concern that authorities could be clamping down on freedoms.

Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume were arrested on Monday on allegations of promoting planned protests against corruption in government on July 31, which police say will turn violent.
Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume were arrested on Monday on allegations of promoting planned protests against corruption in government on July 31, which police say will turn violent.

Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume were arrested on Monday on allegations of promoting planned protests against corruption in government on July 31, which police say will turn violent.

The two, who deny the charges, face up to 10 years imprisonment if convicted.

Chin’ono’s lawyer Doug Coltart said a Harare magistrate had ruled that the journalist “is a danger to the public because he has not yet completed his mission of inciting people to demonstrate on 31 July.”

Chin’ono, who has gained a following on social media by being critical of the government’s handling of the economy and corruption, told reporters as he was being taken to prison cells:

“Journalism has been criminalised. The struggle against corruption should continue. People should not stop, they should carry on with it.”

He will be kept in prison until a court hearing on Aug. 7. Coltart said he would appeal Friday’s ruling extending his detention until that hearing.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement it was concerned by allegations that Zimbabwean authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“Merely calling for a peaceful protest or participating in a peaceful protest are an exercise of recognised human rights,” it said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa imposed an overnight curfew and tighter restrictions on movement from Wednesday to combat rising coronavirus infections. But activists say the measures are meant to stop the July 31 protests. Reuters

Defiant Hopewell Chin’ono speaks as he gets into prison truck after being denied bail AGAIN

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Nehanda Radio
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Defiant journalist and corruption buster Hopewell Chin’ono speaks as he gets into a prison truck after being denied bail by a Harare magistrate once AGAIN.

Chin’ono and opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume were arrested on Monday on allegations of promoting planned protests against corruption in government on July 31, which police say will turn violent.

“Journalism has been criminalised. The struggle against corruption should continue. People should not stop, they should carry on with it,” Chin’ono said as they took him to remain prison in a truck.

Kwekwe housing director in court for murder

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Nehanda Radio
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Cornelious Dube battling for life after the attack
Cornelious Dube battling for life after the attack

By Michael Magoronga

Kwekwe City Council’s Director of Housing and Community Services has appeared in court facing murder charges after he allegedly shot and killed an illegal miner.

Cornelious Dube battling for life after the attack
Cornelious Dube battling for life after the attack

Edson Chiyangwa (51) allegedly shot and killed the illegal miner who was not named in court and was part of machete wielding gang that had besieged his mine in Totororo, Zhombe on Wednesday night.

Chiyangwa who yesterday appeared before Kwekwe Magistrate Ms Mildred Matuvi facing murder charges, was remanded in custody to 6 August.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecuting Mrs Meleni Nkala told the court that on Wednesday at around 11PM, Chiyangwa was at his Forever Mine in Zhombe with Mr Cornelius Dube where they were overseeing their mining operations.

A gang armed with machetes and axes then approached them and threatened to attack them together with their mine employees.

Mr Dube escaped and hid in a car but Chiyangwa tripped and fell as he tried to escape.

When he realised that the gang was closing in on him, he produced a pistol and fired a warning shot in the air, the court heard.

The gang allegedly continued advancing leading to Chiyangwa firing another shot towards the gang which hit the deceased and he died on the spot.

The gang left Chiyangwa and charged towards the Toyota D4D Hilux where Dube had locked himself inside. They attacked the vehicle with machetes, forced open the door and dragged Dube outside before striking him all over the body with machetes leaving him for dead.

Sensing danger, Chiyangwa ran away and made a report to the police.

The following day Chiyangwa was picked up by police detectives leading to his appearance in court yesterday.

Mr Dube is battling for life at Kwekwe General Hospital.

Chiyangwa is represented by Mr Valentine Mutatu of Mutatu and Partners Legal Practitioners. The Chronicle

Zifa, Banda impasse: Benjani’s heart bleeds

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By Fungai Muderere

Ex-Warriors skipper Benjani Mwaruwari reckons it’s high time the ongoing impasse between Zifa and its vice-president Gift Banda stopped, as it is detrimental to local football.

Benjani Mwaruwari celebrates his equaliser at Derby in August 2007 - and a trademark celebration was born. Picture: PA Wire/PA Photos
Benjani Mwaruwari celebrates his equaliser at Derby in August 2007 – and a trademark celebration was born. Picture: PA Wire/PA Photos

In a telephone interview from his base in the United Kingdom, the ex-Manchester City and Portsmouth forward, who is working on his coaching badges and sports management courses in England, said it was prudent for Zifa and Banda to find each other and head in the same direction.

“It’s an impasse that has dragged for too long. It’s unfortunate that Zifa has remained resolute in its bid to keep Gift Banda suspended. It really pains me because that doesn’t benefit our football at all,” said Mwaruwari.

“Finger pointing and politicking should have no place in our game. Banda has been shut out for close to two years which has got some of us, football fans, national team players and officials, and other administrators more confused. Who are we fooling?

“As a family, you cannot go to the field and have one planting orange seeds and the other planting maize seeds and expect to have the same harvest. There is need for unity of purpose at Zifa. To be frank, I blame the impasse on Zifa president Felton Kamambo.

“Kamambo and Banda should find each other for the benefit of the game. We will be heading for next Zifa elections soon and there is nothing they have collectively done for the country, which means the two guys should show maturity and sit down to resolve their differences,” he said.

Banda was elected in the December 2018 Zifa polls only to be suspended a few weeks into office on allegations of usurping the board’s powers by allegedly unilaterally dismissing the then Warriors’ assistant coaches Rahman Gumbo and Lloyd Mutasa.

Banda faced the Zifa disciplinary committee 14 months after being suspended and was cleared of any wrongdoing.

However, Zifa has remained determined to banish Banda from the game by going to the extent of appealing its own appeals committee’s ruling that also absolved him of all charges the association preferred against him.

The Bulawayo businessman and legislator, through his lawyers, is counter-arguing that the board has no legal basis “to contest their own application”.

The Zifa board meeting of January 16, 2019, resolved to suspend Banda, who sat on the sidelines for 14 months.

On March 7 this year, he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the disciplinary committee.

Zifa appealed and appeals committee chairman Stead Kachere threw out the appeal on a technicality and ruled that Banda be reinstated after the association failed to submit proof of payment as required by the law.

The board reportedly wants Banda found guilty of all charges, arguing that the disciplinary committee misdirected itself by focusing on issues that were not up for determination.

Mwaruwari was barred from contesting the Zifa presidency a few years ago on a technicality and says that development was a blessing in disguise, as it had enabled him to boost his football knowledge.

“I cannot jump into the race for the Zifa presidency. I still need four to 10 years to grow and I am happy to say I will soon be done with my Sports Management Diploma and coaching badges. After venturing into coaching here in England and doing a lot of grassroots football projects in my home town Bulawayo, I will have the guts to seek Zimbabwe’s top football office,” said Mwauwari.

He said he’s throwing his weight behind former Warriors’ teammate Alois Bunjira in the next Zifa presidency elections. The Chronicle

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