Zifa Southern region boot out Tapela

Hope Chizuzu

Andrew Tapela, a Kamambo zealot was yesterday shown the exit door by clubs at an AGM in Bulawayo, in a move that showed that if members of Zifa are serious at fixing football ills, it can be done, The Page has learnt.

Gaylord Madhunguza and Mehluli Thebe also joined Tapela in the cold room with only Tizirai Luphahla spared the rod, at least for the time being.

The region was operating with only four members after Bryton Malandule and Sifiso Siziba left to join Zifa Exco and Highlanders respectively.

The meeting started by reviewing the 2022 season where clubs pointed out several issues that they were not happy about as a result of the poor leadership by the Board led by Tapela.

Some of the issues raised were:

1. Failure to hold AGMs

2. Failure to present audited accounts statements

3. Unexplained COVID funds expenditures

4. Admitting league clubs wantonly without Congress approval

5. Failure to represent Clubs in two consecutive National Congress meetings without reason

6. Attempt to illegally disqualify clubs without due Congress approval

7. Failure to form sub committees to foster football development in the Region

8 Failure to attract sponsorship and failure to retain sponsorship the leadership found already on board.

9. Extension of Regional boundaries without Congress approval

10. Failure to adhere to rules of the game in competitions

After noting and questioning these things, members expressed that the regional board functioned with just four members instead of the prescribed six.

Two members among Congress delegates were immediately co-opted to make it six before the axe fell on the three victims.

The regional board had remained four after Malandule was elected to Zifa exco while Sifiso Siziba later joined the Highlanders executive as Vice Chairman.

It was also noted with concern that Malandule had not resigned from his position before tendering his nomination to Zifa Exco. It was illegal to do so and be allowed the same.

After the procedural rituals, each member of the board was examiner forensically leading to Tapela, Madhunguza and Thebe being rejected by the clubs, with Luphahla who was responsible for finance retained to remain with the two co-opted members -Tafadzwa Mtowa and Lloyd Munhanga.

The removal of Tapela, Madhunguza and Thebe meant the board was left with just three men, who were tasked to co-opt three more members before 21 January.

The Zifa AGM is penciled for January 28 and a lot is expected to happen in the interim as members prepare for the landmark Congress that is set to change the football landscape forever - The Page