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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE suspension of Zimbabwe Women Football chairperson Miriam Sibanda yesterday took a dramatic twist when one of the councillors refused to sign the suspension letter arguing that the whole process was done clandestinely and unprocedurally.

Three regional chairpersons, Beaular Musara from central region, Rosemary Muzvidziwa from Masvingo and Takundwa Chimundiya from the southern region signed the letter of suspension which was not on the Zifa letter head.

It turned out yesterday that the three chairpersons are actually not in good standing as their regions did not pay any affiliation fees to the national association last year.

Northern Region boss Wilbert Rambanapasi, said the petition was not written by the women football councillors but was instead forced down on them.

“It’s alleged that the petition was drafted by councillors but I was never consulted as one of the councillors when the document was drafted and I’m certain it was not drafted by councillors.

I don’t even know where it was drafted but I suspect it was drafted by someone in his office, judging by the tone of the wording. I only came to know of the petition when they called the meeting,” said Rambanapasi yesterday.

He said procedurally, if there was some discord, which is normal in any football set-up, the councillors were supposed to first convene a meeting to discuss the problems or grievances.

“It’s clear therefore that it’s only two men who drafted the petition and gave it to those that support them. I asked for the document from Muzvidziwa but she refused, so I can’t be part of this circus hence the reason why I refused to sign,” said Rambanapasi.

At Monday’s meeting, Rampanapasi is said to have asked why his region was not consulted.

“Whether I support Miriam or not I should be involved when decisions are made. Why do you hide the petition if it’s a genuine move?” Rampanapasi asked Muzvidziwa who chaired the meeting.

In her response, the Masvingo chairlady said:

“You’re allowed to read here and leave our copy.”

When contacted yesterday, Muzvidziwa was at pains to explain the origins of the petition. She insisted that councillors met and agreed to draft the petition.

When she was asked to state exactly when and where the meeting took place, she retorted:

“Are you a lawyer or judge to ask me such specific questions?”

Sibanda was suspended together with two other board members Ben Mamoshe and Edwin Magosvongwe over a number of charges that include alleged misuse of $60,000 donated by Freda Mine.

It has however emerged that Sibanda’s board received $20,000 and not $60,000.

The board has since published a statement indicating how the money was spent.

Meanwhile, Sibanda last night said she was not going to waste her time appealing against the decision to suspend her because the action was illegal.

“I’ll only write to advise the Zifa president and copy the letter to all board members. I’ll stand guided by their response,” she said.

Sibanda, however said she expected a response that was in line with the constitution.

“I believe board members are people who understand that football is about rules which not only players on the field should follow but administrators as well,” she said.

The Sports and Recreation Commission yesterday also advised Sibanda to follow the normal dispute resolution systems available and in the event of failing to get assistance she can approach the supreme sports body.

“Zimbabwe Women Football is not an affiliate of the Sports Commission but it falls under Zifa and as such Sibanda has to follow and exhaust those channels provided before coming to us,” said the SRC spokesperson Tirivashe Nheweyembwa.

Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda has already rubbished the suspension saying it’s null and void.

“All I can say is that the purported suspension of the women football chairlady is a nullity. We’ve a precedent in our football of how our game dealt severely with people who were intent on violating the Zifa constitution, about 10 years ago and it will be interesting to see how the game deals with people who today are violating the very constitution that should guide our operations,” Sibanda was quoted saying.

In 2004, eight Zifa councillors were handed four year bans from football after they convened a meeting and resolved to suspend the then Zifa chairman, Rafiq Khan.

The late Leonard Nkala, Pharoah Jele, Addmore Nyamuramba, Susan Chibizhe, Francis Zimunya, Aaron Munautsi were all slapped with suspensions together with the then Mighty Warriors coach Benedict Moyo.

Miriam Sibanda has since been replaced by her former deputy Elizabeth Langa while Cecilia Gambe is now the vice chairperson.

Chronicle Sport is however reliably informed that the initial plan was to rope in a Chitima, wife to Gunners president Cuthbert who is a senior executive employee of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) church, that donated cash to the Mighty Warriors.

“The money donated by that church hasn’t been receipted in Zifa books let alone the Zimbabwe Women Football,” said a source.

Interestingly, according to the petition, Sibanda is accused of not making the donation public or handing over the donation to Zifa.