Sports

Sexual harassment saga: Zimbabwean female referees accuse Zifa and Fifa of going silent

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2022

BY ED AARONS AND ROMAIN MOLINA

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and Fifa have been accused of “going silent” over allegations that female referees were sexually harassed by Zifa officials.

The allegations – made against Zifa’s referees committee secretary general, Obert Zhoya, and its chairman, Bryton Malandule – were first reported by local media in September 2020 before two of the alleged victims, both referees, officially registered their complaints with the Zifa board.

The allegations were also sent to Fifa, the global game’s governing body, the Confederation of African Football (Caf), and the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa).

It was not until the alleged victims reported the claims to police, in December 2021, that a formal investigation was launched.

One of the alleged victims, who did not want to be named, told the Guardian that she had not officiated since making the complaints and felt “emotionally drained” by the whole experience.

“Zifa is a huge disappointment,” she said.

“I’ve told myself I can never rely on them.

“I had high hopes that Fifa would intervene and fight to defend us female referees but they let me down as well.

“My question is why would Fifa go silent?

“I’m not saying they have to rush and make my case a first priority but at least show me that you’re keen to assist me.”

One alleged victim said she had been “humiliated, intimidated and degraded” by Zhoya, claiming she had received a series of WhatsApp messages from him asking for her to spend the night with him in a hotel.

“I would like to put on record that he had been making these unwelcome sexual advances since September 2019,” she wrote in a letter to Zifa.

“The allegations I make herein are backed by evidence in the form of phone call voice recordings. I then got the courage from the evidence I had, and learning that I’m not the only one [who] was subject to this harassment.

“I have been on the Zifa [referees] panel since 2019, I’m 30 years old.

“I expected to be treated with respect, not like a lady of the night.

“I however request you to look into the matter and possibly address the issue and in the process protect me and my fellow female referees, who are suffering silently.”

Another official accused Malandule, who is also a member of the Zifa board, of making “sexual advances” towards her in March 2019.

Contacted by the Guardian, Malandule said: “I am sure that you appreciate that when issues are before judicial bodies, one cannot comment as per the sub judice rule.”

Zhoya had not responded to the Guardian’s request for comment at the time of publication.

Another experienced referee claimed she has been “frozen out” of officiating at matches for offering support to alleged victims.

She claimed several more officials are too afraid to report abuse claims because of the way the cases have been handled.

She said: “These reports were made immediately when the stories came out and we have gone more than a year without anything being done or any feedback.

“I think Fifa should have kept in touch with the victims to reassure them that they are still working on it.

“By going quiet, it seems like it is a minor issue. The girls feel very, very bitter about their experiences.”

In November, the entire Zifa board was suspended by the Zimbabwe government’s sports and recreation commission (SRC) over “several incidents of gross incompetence” that the SRC described as “contrary to the national interest”.

As well as alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds, it cited the allegations of sexual harassment of female referees.

Fifa disapproves of governmental interference in the running of member associations.

It warned Zimbabwe that it could be banned from the African Cup of Nations unless the elected FA was restored by 3 January 2022 – a threat that failed to materialise.

“There are clear rules in the Fifa statutes that prohibit any undue third-party interference in the affairs of any Fifa member association,” a Fifa spokesperson said.

In December 2021 Joyce Cook, Fifa’s chief social responsibility and education officer, said Fifa had referred the sexual harassment allegations to Caf for three months because it “did not have the competence to investigate and judge such conducts”.

A Fifa spokesperson told the Guardian: “The Fifa ethics committee is aware of the allegations and a process is ongoing in accordance with the rules of competence set out in article 30 of the code of ethics.

“Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”

A Caf spokesperson said: “Caf is aware of the matter.

“We have been in touch with the relevant authorities in the country because it is now a matter being handled by the relevant competent authorities in that country.

“There is nothing further Caf would say at this stage.”

A global investigative network intended to tackle sexual abuse across all sports is due to be established by Fifa and a United Nations agency this year in the wake of the scandals in Afghanistan and Haiti revealed by the Guardian. – The Guardian

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Ex- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys holiday break in Victoria Falls

Published

2 months ago

March 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been enjoying a holiday in Victoria Falls.

The 83-year-old Scot who has sufferer a series of personal setbacks in the last few years looked healthy and happy as he was mobbed by Manchester United fans during his visit to Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destination.

Ferguson was happy to pose for pictures with staff at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge on Sunday at the end of his three-day stay.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority took note of his visit, posting on X: “We appreciate your choice of your holiday destination Sir Alex Ferguson. Zimbabwe loves you, please come again and continue to experience Zimbabwe.”

Ferguson resigned as Manchester United manager in 2013 after 26 years at the club and remains the most successful manager in English Premier League history.

In 2018, he collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital with a brain hemorrhage which required surgery.

In 2023, his wife Cathy died at the age of 84 and a year later Ferguson stood down from his role as an ambassador for Manchester United it seems to travel the world.

SOURCE: ZIMLIVE

National

Bosso CEO Sihlangu Dlodlo dies

Published

6 months ago

October 29, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY FUNGAI MUDERERE

Highlanders Football Club chief executive officer Sihlangu Dlodlo has died.

According to The Chronicle newspaper, he was found dead at his Nketa 9 home in Bulawayo Monday evening, one of his close friends, Allan “Ripper” Mpofu, confirmed last night.

Dlodlo’s body was discovered after close associates forced entry into his premises.

He had not been seen since Saturday.

“It seems like my friend passed on over the weekend. He was alone at his place,” said a shaken Mpofu with sobs.

“After the alarm was raised that he had gone missing, with the help of his relatives we had to force open the gate at his place to gain entry.

“After peeping through the window, I could not believe my eyes. I saw the lifeless body of my close friend. This is so disheartening; it’s really sad.

“We discovered this around 6.45pm. I cannot speak further because I have to respect his (Sihlangu) family.”

Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe said Sihlangu’s death was a huge loss to the Bosso family and that they were waiting for the Dlodlo family to give the green light to comment more.

“It’s sad. We are disturbed. It’s a big loss to us but we have been advised by our board chairman (Luke Mkandla) to first have the green light from the Dlodlo family to comment further,” said Mhlophe.

Ex-Highlanders chief executive Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube said he was devastated.

“Just look at my WhatsApp status; It’s a picture of him and me watching the Highlanders Royals game on Saturday. My mind is all over. Maybe I can only comment tomorrow (today). I’m not okay. I cannot find the right words now,” said Dube.

One of Bosso’s popular followers Duduzu “Teekay” Sibanda was at a loss for words.

“What a loss. I was with him on Saturday when the Emgwanwini Chapter hosted a tournament. We also watched the Highlanders Royals in action against a team from Mutare together.

“He also gave me his address. We spent the whole day with him. This is sad,” said Sibanda.

While finer details could not be obtained on what happened to the late Sihlangu, social media was already abuzz about his untimely death.

At around 8.20pm yesterday, the body of the late Sihlangu was yet to be taken to a mortuary.

The late Dlodlo was appointed Bosso head of secretariat in April to replace Ronald Moyo who opted against renewing his contract with the Bulawayo giants.

Dlodlo is a former Premier Soccer League secretary-general and ex-Bantu Rovers general manager.

Before his appointment at Highlanders, he was the general manager at Kings and Queens Funeral Services, a position he held from November last year, and had also been a sales and marketing executive at the company.

The late Dlodlo, who also worked at Innscor Africa as a sales marketing manager, was also a veteran arts administrator who enjoyed a good working relationship with the late Cont Mhlanga at Amakhosi Cultural Centre.

He was also praised for many breakthrough strategies that led to Amakhosi’s emergence as a powerhouse on the arts scene in the 90s.

The late Dlodlo will also be remembered for his service in the private sector, taken as proof by some that artistes could lead and thrive even beyond the arts.

SOURCE: THE CHRONICLE

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ZOU hosts sports gala

Published

6 months ago

October 28, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

It was a colorful and action-packed day at Mkoba Teachers college as Zimbabwe Open University held its Sports Gala on weekend, bringing together students from its ten regional campuses across the country.

A total of 130 students from all regional campuses participated in a variety of sporting activities.

The list of games included athletics, soccer, netball, volleyball, days, javelin and high jump.

Zimbabwe Open University is an Open and distance and e-learning (OdeL) institution that has ten regional campuses and one virtual campus totaling to 11 campuses.

Most of the learning is done online and events like these give students a platform to share the experience and environment enjoyed by their counterparts from conventional tertiary institutions.

A total of 13 students from each region represented their regional campuses across the sporting areas outlined.

The wellness and interaction event was attended and graced by The Dean of Students, Thandiwe Chivasa together with staff from the national Centre and 10 Student advisors from the ten regional campuses.

Volleyball and athletics drew much excitement from all teams as regions cheered for their teams.

The winning teams walked away with medals and trophies for excelling.

The event was a resounding success after a long six years break from such games by the institution.

Students living with disabilities were part of the fun and excitement throughout the day.