Mukuhlani |
THE Sports and Recreation Commission yesterday came down
with a heavy hand on Zimbabwe Cricket after they announced the suspension of
the Tavengwa Mukuhlani-led board on allegations of defying the order to suspend
an elective Annual General Meeting held last week.
ZC managing director Givemore Makoni was also suspended
with immediate effect. A new interim committee, led by veteran cricket
administrator Dave Ellman-Brown as chairman, was put in place to run the
affairs of cricket in this country. The
other members of the interim committee are Retired Justice Ahmed Ibrahim,
Charlie Robertson, former Mashonaland Cricket Association chairman Cyprian
Mandenge, Robertson Chinyengetere, Sekesai Nhokwara and Duncan Frost. The
committee will, among other things, probe and oversee the affairs of the
association including the June 14 elective AGM, and a forensic audit leading to
the organisation of elections for a new board by September 15, 2020.
In a lengthy statement yesterday, the Sports Commission
indicated that they acted within the confines of the law and their decision
will not be interpreted as Government interference by the International Cricket
Council.
There is a danger the ousted board will take up the issue
with ICC alleging Government interference, which could come with dire
consequences.
ICC last week issued a stern warning that ZC would be
suspended and cut off from all activities if the move by the Sports Commission
was deemed as Government interference.
Mlotshwa also said the Government has vested interests in the way sport
associations are run since the organisations have called on the same Government
for bail-outs on several occasions.
“The fact that Zimbabwe Cricket is a full member of the ICC
does not mean that it is not subject to the laws of Zimbabwe, in particular the
provisions of the SRC Act. It is a matter of documented public knowledge that
Zimbabwe Cricket has been the subject matter of several controversies over the
years. There have been allegations of outright disregard for its own constitution,
neglect of the development of the game and related infrastructure throughout
the country.
“Certain of its office bearers, past and present, have been
the subject of allegations involving fraud, exchange control violations and
other acts of corruption and criminality related to the monies and assets of
Zimbabwe Cricket and the International Cricket Council.
“At different, and at least two occasions, the SRC has
intervened, suspending officials and board members, without the involvement of
the International Cricket Council, respecting always the application of the
domestic laws of Zimbabwe, particularly in those instances where the concerns
of the respective parties coincided,” said Mlotshwa.
Mlotshwa indicated his newly installed board may have a lot
of clutter to clear as many sporting codes in Zimbabwe are riddled with
controversy which stems from constitutional and governance deficiencies,
including poor financial management. The Harare-based lawyer said ZC acted
unlawfully when they went ahead with their elective AGM in Victoria Falls on
June 14, which resulted in the re-election of Mukuhlani and his deputy,
Sylvester Matshaka, in a 13-member board.
The Sports Commission last week warned that the gathering
was not sanctioned because of allegations of fraud, constitutional violations
and complaints in the nomination process in one of the provinces. However, Mukuhlani said they continued with
the elective AGM after getting the blessing of the delegates and the world
cricket body. He also said they “did not
violate any section of the SRC Act in fulfilling our mandate to have an AGM”.
Mlotshwa said ZC acted unlawfully in going against the
directive from the Sports Commission in terms of Section 19 (a) and (b) of the
SRC Act, hence the decision to suspend the entire board.
“The Sports and Recreation Board resolved that:
“1. The failure by Zimbabwe Cricket to suspend its elective
AGM (and ignore an order of a court) amounts to failure to comply with the SRC
contrary to the provisions of Section 30 (a) and (b) of the SRC Act;
“2. The SRC hereby, suspends WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, the
entire board of Zimbabwe Cricket ostensibly elected as such on 14th June, 2019,
in Victoria Falls;
“3.The SRC hereby suspends, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, the
Acting Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, Givemore Makoni;
“4. The SRC in terms of Section 30(2) of the SRC Act hereby
appoints an interim committee to administer the affairs of Zimbabwe Cricket, which
is, additionally, hereby requested,” said Mlotshwa.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Sports Commission
have indicated that they will not be renewing the fixed term contracts of the Director of Corporate
Services and that of the Director Sports & Recreation Development that
expire on July 31, 2019 “in line with the rapid restructuring of the SRC for
the purpose of fulfilling its statutory
mandate.” Herald
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