The Sunday News
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has been put on red alert following allegations of lack of corporate governance at the Zimbabwe Netball Association (Zina) after revelations that the national association might have illegally doctored its constitution.
There are also allegations that the association neglects players who would have been injured while on national duty citing lack of funds despite being given some grants by the Government, raising fears of abuse of funds. Zina is already sitting on a deadline to put its house in order after it was named among the 29 National Sports Associations that were not fully compliant with the mandatory SRC Act and were given up to the end of this month to provide the necessary documents.
At a meeting of the SRC and the presidents of the National Sports Associations held in the capital last month, the 29 associations, Zina included were not able to provide, as per statutory requirements, minutes of their 2016 annual general meeting, annual report, audited financial statements, projected budget, annual membership and sportsman levy as well as their 2017 calendar of events.
However, there are allegations that the Letticia Chipandu led Zina executive doctored their constitution, especially Article 17 on elections, to favour their stay in power. Section 17.4 of that article says the president has a casting vote in the event of a tie during elections.
“How do we have such a clause in the first place because when elections are conducted all positions become vacant and what if the tie is for the post of the Zina president? Our expectations are that National Sports Associations should be run properly and professionally, we don’t expect them to sweep things under the carpet. It appears things are not well at Zina and it’s a cause for concern that we may be forced if things remain as they are, to do some investigations,” said the SRC acting director general Joseph Muchechetere.
Zina secretary general Barbra Rice and her president Chipandu did not respond to questions that were sent to them two weeks ago over the claims.
@skhumoyo2000
