SUSPECTED Zanu PF youths on Sunday allegedly grabbed Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s share of the proceeds from the Bob89 soccer match played at Barbourfields Stadium.
Report by Nduduzo Tshuma
Acting mayor Amen Mpofu confirmed the incident, adding the council lost $9 593 to the suspected Zanu PF youths who snatched the money from council employees and fled.
The money was meant to pay council for use of the stadium.
The match, whose objective was to celebrate President Robert Mugabe’s 89th birthday on February 21, pitted Highlanders against Dynamos. Mpofu said the local authority received the report from its employees on Wednesday.
“According to the report, the match was played and afterwards, service providers and council were supposed to be paid,” he said. “The Sports and Recreation Commission, police and other service providers were given their money.
“However, when the money meant to pay council was handed to council officials, some Zanu PF youths snatched the cash and made off with it.
“After the incident, council officials tried to make a report at Barbourfields (BF) Police Station, but it was not heeded.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mpofu said after failing to make a report at BF Police Station, council employees took the matter to a senior police officer at Ross Camp who advised them to try and iron out the matter with the Zanu PF youths.
“It is sad that a party can let its youths do such a thing when we are preparing for elections,” he said. According to the report we received, the officials went and reported the matter, but could not get assistance from the police.
“When the incident actually took place, the police were there and became mere spectators. It is a very sad incident because it is the residents of Bulawayo that suffer.
“That money snatched by Zanu PF was meant for the residents of Bulawayo. The BCC did not get the 20% it is supposed to get after matches.
“We understand the match was meant to celebrate President Mugabe’s birthday, but what impression are the Zanu PF youths trying to create by rendering the country lawless.”
Contacted for comment Zanu PF provincial chairman Killian Sibanda said he was unaware of the incident.
“We have not received any reports on the matter,” said Sibanda. Bulawayo police said they were yet to receive a report.
According to laid down agreements, the local authority, which owns the stadium, is supposed to receive 20% of the gate charges after each soccer match played at the stadium.
Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they were not responsible for gate takings for the match.
