Kamambo out on bail as lawyer accuses SRC of abusing state power
SUSPENDED ZIFA officials Felton Kamambo, Philmon Machana, Stanley Chapeta, Joseph Mamutse and Bryton Malandule have been released on Z$100,000 bail each after a Harare court established there were no compelling reasons to deny them bail.
The State had argued against bail for the suspended ZIFA officials who are accused of fraud after they allegedly suspended other ZIFA councillors and employees while on suspension.
The state is accusing them of misrepresenting that they are still at the helm of football when the Sports and Recreation Commission in November suspend the ZIFA board over a litany of corruption-related charges.
Arguing for the denial of bail, investigating officer Dumezeli Mahlangu said the State feared the accused will abscond court and also commit other offences related to football while on suspension.
However, under cross examination from the suspended ZIFA officials’ lawyer Admire Rubaya, Mahlangu failed to explain in court which offence the accused persons committed.
Ephraim Zinyandu appeared for the State while lawyers Admire Rubaya and Malvern Mapako appeared on behalf of Kamambo and his accomplices who were remanded to March 31.
Mahlangu went on to tell court that the police did not face any problem when arresting them and had no problem if granted them bail.
Meanwhile, Rubaya tore into the State saying the charges against the officials “are nothing but abuse of criminal justice and engaging a law fare to take power from the legally elected accused persons.”
“Its unfortunate SRC do not know its role. ZIFA is an affiliate of FIFA and SRC has no role in ZIFA. FIFA has been at pains to explain to SRC that what they are doing is wrong. FIFA acknowledges that Kamambo is the real leader of football in Zimbabwe and why should they be arrested. This is a clear abuse of power by those who think they are close to political leaders of this country. At the end of it the accused persons have the authority to do what they did,” Rubaya submitted.
It is alleged that after the suspension, and during the period between January 2022 and 02 February 2022, the accused persons acting in connivance and knowing very well that they were on suspension wrote various letters on ZIFA letterhead purporting to be ZIFA executive committee members.
The state alleges that the letters signed by Mamutse who also purported to be the Chief Executive Officer of ZIFA, addressed to various members of the ZIFA congress also suspending them from their positions.
It is alleged as a result of suspensions by the accused persons, the ZIFA congressman are incapacitated and unable to execute their tasks on of ZIFA. The state alleges their actions have also affected football clubs in Zimbabwe, particularly those of the Premier Soccer League and football in general in Zimbabwe, particularly in form of sponsorship and other revenue flowing into the football sector.
The state alleges the actions of the accused persons have caused prejudice to the good administration of ZIFA. The complainant is the SRC represented by Sebastian Garikai in his capacity as the Acting Director General of the SRC.
Kamambo out on bail as lawyer accuses SRC of abusing state power
