By Elizabeth Nyaguyo
Lawyers representing suspended ZIFA Board members, said their clients are not happy with the utterances made by Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry during the Parliamentary question and answer session on the recent defending the action by Sports and Recreation Commission ( SRC)
The suspended ZIFA board members are Felton Kamambo, Phillemon Machana, Brighton Malandule, Stanley Chapeta, and Joseph Mamutse
In a statement, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambura said that their clients are not happy with the statements said by SRC members, and these statements have gone viral on different social media platforms and publications.
“It has come to our clients’ attention that you made several defamatory, false and damaging remarks on Wednesday 29th March 2023 during the Question-and-Answer Parliament of Zimbabwe session. What you said during that session is captured on video and in several publications including the Parliament Hansard.
“With Due respect, Honourable Minister you deliberately and brazenly misrepresented facts in Parliament through falsely uttering words,” reads the statement.
“For clarity, the reasons that the SRC stepped in and suspended the board were three. The first one was that the government has given ZIFA about US$2 million that has never been accounted for.
“Secondly, four female referees have come forward and given their statements to the police and they have been investigated.
“Three of those members were on the board. One of those members has already received a lifetime ban from ZIFA.”
These Legal Practitioners said that they are not pleased with this since these statements are tarnishing their client’s name.
“When you uttered these words you knew that such words, which you uttered as if they were factual were undoubtedly untrue. Our clients are one of the firm and stern view that in uttering these words your sole intention was to unjustifiably damage their goodwill, integrity, dignity, reputable, and both their social and professional standing in the football fraternity.
“Our clients urge you to be truthful and tell the nation as well as the political leadership the truth there is no need to misrepresent facts to them.
