HARARE – Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president and a board member of the association appeared before a court on Monday accused of sending threatening messages to Phillip Chiyanga, the former president of the association and MP for Zvimba South.
ZIFA chief Felton Kamambo and board member Philemon Machana were charged under the Postal and Communications Act when they appeared before Harare magistrate, Victoria Mashamba, who released the two men on $500 bail each.
Kamambo allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Chiyangwa, stating: “Hie president. You are urged to stop your funny and negative interferences with football. Meanwhile, urgently start accounting for all the ZIFA money you stole.”
A day earlier, the state alleges Machana had also sent a message to Chiyangwa making several accusations and insulting him.
Prosecutor Francesca Mukumbiri said he allegedly wrote saying
“You framed rape charges and even offered a Black Rhinos player to implicate an innocent man,” the message allegedly said.
It continued: “They usually say if you live in a glass house avoid throwing stones, even at those who live under brick and mortar. It is sad that for a long time since just before the AFCON, you engaged in an unprovoked warfare against my person and that of ZIFA president F Kamambo.
“This was despite having won against all odds in contestation with you. I equally won the same elections despite your spirited efforts to decampaign me as well as your then deputy Omega Sibanda who had served you diligently. My only crime it would appear to you is why did I win where you lost and was the only one retained.
“You probably expected me to be your henchman to cause Kamambo’s reign all sorts of problems. You wanted me to assist your implanted boy to sabotage football to as two make Kamambo look bad.”
The two will be back in court in December for their routine remand.
