ZIFA APPOINTS COMMISSION TO PROBE SHEASHAM FC WITHDRAWAL

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has appointed a four-member Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sheasham FC’s withdrawal from the Central Region Division One League, amid growing concerns over alleged officiating bias and administrative irregularities within the league.

The decision was reached following deliberations by the ZIFA Executive Committee during its meeting held on 9 October 2025, acting upon recommendations from the Legal and Player Status Committee, which convened a day earlier.

In a statement released yesterday, ZIFA said the Commission was established in accordance with Article 55 of the ZIFA Statutes, with the mandate to “establish facts, assess procedural compliance, and recommend measures to strengthen fairness, integrity, and transparency within league management.”

The Commission will be chaired by legal and governance expert Mr. Ringisai Kudzanai Hillario Mapondera, while Mr. Jabulani Mpofu, the Athletic Director at Lupane State University, has been appointed as a member. They will be joined by Ms. Morelet S. Mathema, Vice President (Technical & Development) of the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association, and Mr. Andrew Pamire, a former referee with extensive experience in domestic football.

According to the statement, the inquiry will focus on five key areas, including determining the circumstances that led to Sheasham FC’s abrupt withdrawal, whether the club exhausted all internal remedies under ZIFA and ZCRSL regulations before taking that step, and how the league’s management responded to any formal complaints lodged by the club.

The Commission is expected to submit a comprehensive written report of its findings and recommendations to the ZIFA Executive Committee within seven working days from the date of appointment.

ZIFA said the establishment of the Commission is not intended as a punitive exercise but as part of a broader effort to restore confidence and professionalism within the game.

“ZIFA reiterates that this is a corrective and reformative measure aimed at restoring trust, integrity, and accountability in football administration,” read part of the statement. “All stakeholders are urged to cooperate fully with the inquiry to ensure a transparent and constructive outcome.”

Sheasham FC’s withdrawal from the Central Region Division One League earlier this month sent shockwaves through the football community, with reports suggesting that the club had raised repeated concerns over questionable refereeing decisions and alleged administrative inconsistencies.

The development has reignited debate about governance and transparency in lower-tier football competitions, where clubs have long complained of uneven officiating and opaque disciplinary processes.

As the Commission begins its work, many stakeholders within Zimbabwean football will be watching closely, viewing the probe as a litmus test of ZIFA’s commitment to reform and its ability to enforce accountability across all levels of the game.