TWELVE Zifa Southern Region Division One clubs that met on Monday for an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM), have resolved to dismiss chairman Andrew Tapela, accusing him of failing to represent their interests, among other charges.
Tapela has been holding fort as chairman, but the clubs contend that his term of office expired on October 15 and that they have not extended his stay in the office.
They have decided to add two members to the board until the annual general meeting to be held next month.
Tapela was shown the exit door along with board members Gaylord Madhunguza and Mehluli Thebe of ZPC Hwange.
The EGM co-opted Lloyd Munanga (Zimbabwe Saints) and Tafadzwa Mutowa of Mosi Rovers into the board, retaining Tizirayi Luphahla, who ran the board’s finances and later fixtures and competitions.
The clubs charge that the Tapela-led board failed to: present audited accounts; account for COVID-19 expenditures and irregularly demoted and admitted certain clubs into the league.
A proponent of the petition that led to the Monday meeting, Blessing Mbwando yesterday said: “The meeting was successful and 12 clubs excluding Bosso 90, ZPC Hwange, Casmyn and Arenel, while Talen Vision apologised.
“We don’t want to waste our time about Tapela. His mandate was not extended. The board has on two occasions has failed to represent us as clubs on national meetings; to represent our interests and not their personal issues.
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“They cannot say that our meeting was unconstitutional because it was based on a petition of June 21 which was not responded to.”
Tapela is viewed as ally of suspended Zifa president Felton Kamambo.
Mbwando said he initiated the meeting which was chaired by Khumbulani Mbano of Hwange FC.
On Monday, Tapela said the meeting contravened Zifa statutes, but yesterday said he had not received anything to the effect that he had been relieved of his duties.
“Let it be, all is well with my soul. I have not received anything on it (being fired). There is no one and nothing to respond to,” Tapela said.
Among the litany of accusations by the clubs is that the board failed to: hold annual general meetings, to attract sponsorship and to adhere to the rules and regulations of the games among other issues.
The clubs said the board also failed to fill vacancies when Malandule was elevated to the national Zifa board, while Fiso Siziba moved to Highlanders as vice-chairman, leaving Luphahla to do all the work.
