ONE of the complainants in the sexual harassment
allegations against some of the country’s referees’ bosses was mugged yesterday
morning by unidentified assailants who took her mobile phone.
The female referee said she was attacked just outside her
home as she left for work and the assailants, who were driving in a black Honda
Fit with no licence plates, seemed only interested in her mobile phone as they
made no effort to take her handbag.
She believes the attack could be linked to efforts to
conceal evidence in her mobile phone which she has against two members of the
Zimbabwe Referees Committee she accused of sexually harassing a number of
female referees on the pretext they would be promoted or be assigned more
matches than others.
“It’s strange because just before getting to me there were
two ladies with cellphones in hand, but they left them and only came for my
phone. I appreciate that it could have just been a robbery because these things
happen now and again, but the way I lost my cellphone leaves a lot of
questions,” she said.
Meanwhile, referee Allen Basvi and some female referees
that accused their bosses of sexual abuse formally lodged their complaints with
Zifa, the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Premier Soccer League, Cosafa,
Caf and Fifa.
“Zifa would like to confirm that it has received complaints
(and) investigations are on course and we will advise of the outcome,” said
Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela.
One of the complainants confirmed to Chronicle Sport they
had lodged their complaints with Zifa chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse,
but had no confidence in the system since Mamutse was a subordinate of one of
the accused persons.
“We filed our complaints, but we do not have confidence in
Zifa’s handling of the matter and because we want justice for us and the game,
we have taken other avenues,” said the complainant.
Fifa has already said it would be investigating the sexual
harassment reports as it was in violation of Fifa Code of Ethics, particularly
Article 23 and 25.
Basvi last week raised damaging match fixing allegations
against one of the Zifa referees’ committee members, who also stands accused of
sexual harassment by the female referees. Chronicle
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