The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIFA Eastern Region board member (development), Patient Dube, who doubles as GreenFuel sports administrator, has plunged the regional second tier league into mayhem, with rival clubs accusing him of using his muscle to influence events on the field of play in favour of his Premiership promotion chasing team — Green Fuel FC.
It is only MatchDay Five in the Eastern Region Division One League, with the Lowveld outfit leading the championship chasing pack, but disgruntled clubs opened up about their dissatisfaction with Dube’s conduct.
Rival clubs in the race for the league title believe there is conflict of interest in Dube’s execution of duties, both as a ZIFA Eastern Region board member for development as well as sports administrator for GreenFuel.
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests – family, friendships, financial, organisational or social factors could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace or execution of duties.
Mutare City Rovers team manager, Lyndon Kanyemba did not mince his words as he bitterly complained about Dube’s conduct.
“We were not happy with what we perceived as needless interference with match officials by Dube during our recent match against GreenFuel at Sakubva Stadium.
“While we tolerate his doubling as a GreenFuel employee and a ZIFA official, we were not happy when he visited the referees’ changing rooms and interacted with them during half time of our match. When we then encountered some questionable match officiating, what were we supposed to think?
“We are aware of the influence he wields as a ZIFA official and now that he is attached to our rivals in the Premiership promotion race, this smacks off conflict of interest.
“The same thing happened when we went to play against Grayham FC at Windsor Primary School grounds in Ruwa. He indicated in their WhatsApp group that he was coming for our match against Grayham since he was already in Harare.
We instantly complained to the authorities that there is something clearly fishy about his agenda against Mutare City Rovers,” charged Kanyemba.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Davison Muchena confirmed receiving complaints about his colleague’s conduct.
“It is a thorny issue currently. Personally, I normally want this to be done above board with transparency. I have received complaints about that issue and I instructed the concerned clubs to put their issues in writing.
“The only problem we have is that when we presented this issue (Dube being in ZIFA Eastern Region board as well as being employed by GreenFuel) only one club raised concerns about that and that was Mwenezana chairman. They even cited a number of examples of league administrators in the Premiership who are also attached to different clubs in the same league.
“The dilemma is that when the league authorities chose people to occupy certain positions they can only get them from affiliated clubs. At the end of the day it appears to me that it is not about conflict of interest, but the individual’s level of professionalism. No doubt that his (Dube) presence in the board makes him wield some influence and power,” said Muchena.
Dube was a bundle of emotions when contacted for comment as he scoffed at complaints being raised about his conduct.
“That is utter rubbish. If people fail to play football on the field of play, they should not expect me to play for them. I am not a fixtures secretary in the ZIFA regional board. In any case, I am not employed to handle football matters at GreenFuel.
“For your own information, I have just returned from Kwekwe where I accompanied a ladies netball team. After all, why does it have to be Dube only? Is Farai Jere not the Caps United president as well as the Premiership president? Is Simba Wisdom not employed by the Zimbabwe National Army and also part of our board where Buffaloes are an affiliate?
“Did he (Wisdom) not at one point sit in a meeting that decided to dock points from Buffaloes when he is employed by the army? Football is run by rules and regulations and not petty personal links or emotions,” fumed Dube.
Just as the fish rots from the head, the appointment or election of individuals to positions of authority in league administration when the same individuals occupy offices at certain clubs affiliated to the same league has been a subject of intense debate, even at the country’s top-flight league level.
No wonder, Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches’ Association executive member, Bheki Nyoni said: “In Zimbabwe, dual positions are common although it will be ethical to decide to drop one.
“A very good example was shown by Patrice Motsepe when he was elected CAF president, he left Sundowns .This is what our administrators should emulate in the near future for the good of football development.”
Manicaland-bred and Bulawayo-based legal practitioner, who is also Chicken Inn secretary, Tavengwa Hara said: “The problem that we have is more of double dipping. We should be in a position to have football leaders who when elected into league administrative posts or mainstream football administration posts at ZIFA relinquish their club positions.
“Holding on to a club position while serving as league administration member surely presents conflict of interest. It also demands for more professional conduct on the individual for them to be able to hold both positions.”
