The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been urged to investigate irregularities surrounding the appointment of the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC)’s Director General Prince Mupazviriho, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
Zim Morning Post is in possession of a copy of a letter that was submitted to ZACC by an anonymous author seeking the anti-corruption body to investigate Mupazviriho’s unprocedural appointment as it bordered on corruption and flouting of proper human resources and recruitment procedures.
The letter states that Mupazviriho’s appointment was against the SRC board’s recommendations which had opted for experts in sports management to fill in the position.
He was cherry picked by his colleagues occupying high offices as reward for the favours he did for them when he was still the most powerful civil servant in the Mines Ministry and later Sports ministry, it is alleged.
“Director General, Prince Mupazviriho was helicoptered, clandestinely in November 2018 to become the substantive Director General, disregarding the provision of the law and discarding recommendations done by the previous SRC Board which had carried out interviews,” read part of the letter.
“It is in the public domain that Prince Mupazviriho is not a ‘guru’ in sport and recreation!
“ If it is not a case of corruption why would he find himself in this industry as its head when he does not even possess a Level 1 Certificate in the field?,” further read the letter.
Zim Morning Post understands that Mupazviriho had never applied for the post which was advertised two times by the SRC and was not part of the three candidates who were shortlisted for the position.
“He never applied and never participated in the said interviews carried out by the SRC Board. “Unfortunately, he jumped over recommendations of the previous SRC Board to become the substantive Director General”
His appointment is said to have been catapulted by some high ranking officials in the Public Service Commission.
Mupazviriho a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Sports and Recreation during former President Robert Mugabe’s time, was side-lined after President Mnangagwa took over.
The Public Service Commission however kept him in their books and later on reappointed him to SRC in a dubious manner.
Meanwhile, sports fanatics have come out guns blazing against the SRC for not playing its role to curb corruption in the fraternity.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), Zimbabwe Cricket Union, Zimbabwe Rugby Union and Zimbabwe Netball Association are some of the sporting disciplines that have been rocked by scandals.
The new SRC chair George Mlotshwa’s dispensation has however cracked a whip on sporting disciplines who have been found wanting.
Mupazviriho could not be reached for comment at the time of writing while ZACC chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo’s mobile phone went unanswered.