Handball vote delayed, transparency questioned

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

The Zimbabwe Handball Federation announced the postponement of its highly anticipated Elective Annual General Meeting initially slated for March 29, 2025. This decision, communicated to councillors via a letter from ZHF President Dr. B.S. Mtsambiwa, comes amidst mounting concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of the federation's electoral procedures.

"We write to advise of the postponement of the Elective Annual General Meeting to a later date, which will be announced in due course," Dr. Mtsambiwa stated in the official communication. The postponement was attributed to directives received from the African Handball Confederation (CAHB), with Dr. Mtsambiwa adding, "Communication to this effect was received from CAHB advising us to postpone the EAGM to another date to be announced. The SRC is also aware of this position." She further extended apologies to ZHF members for the inconvenience caused by the rescheduling.

This development has ignited discussions surrounding the ZHF's electoral processes, with stakeholders previously expressing dissatisfaction over the delayed dissemination of nominee lists and a perceived lack of transparency surrounding the elections. The postponement is now viewed by many as a potential window to address these grievances and ensure a more open and inclusive electoral environment.

The ZHF's history is not without its electoral challenges. Notably, the 2015 elections were postponed due to the absence of key provincial representatives and the lack of a crucial financial report from the treasurer. Outgoing president Amon Madzvamuse at the time emphasized the necessity of procedural integrity, stating, "We cannot have an annual meeting without the other provinces and the financial report."

This pattern of election-related hurdles underscores the need for robust and transparent governance within the ZHF. The current postponement provides an opportunity for the federation to rectify past shortcomings and build trust among its members.

The handball community in Zimbabwe now awaits further communication from the ZHF regarding the rescheduled EAGM. The federation has pledged to provide details regarding the new date "in due course," leaving stakeholders hopeful for a more transparent and equitable electoral process. The integrity of the upcoming elections will be crucial in shaping the future of handball in Zimbabwe, and the spotlight remains firmly on the ZHF to ensure a fair and credible outcome.