The Watergate scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulted in the resignation of the then President of the US, Richard Nixon on August 9, 1974, the only resignation of any US President.
It also resulted in the indictment, trial, conviction and incarceration of several Nixon administration officials.
We will not delve into the Watergate scandal itself.
Closer to home the Willowgate scandal in the 1980s claimed the scalp of several ministers – one of them, Maurice Nyagumbo, committed suicide in shame – may his soul rest in peace.
In the modern day era, we have had the Asiagate scam which up to now has not claimed any scalp despite the high profile allegations and media blitz.
Some people mistakenly believe the chief suspect Henrietta Rushwaya was fired from the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) because of Asiagate.
She was fired from Zifa for insubordination but certainly not on match-fixing and betting allegations.
Zifa lawyer Ralph Maganga is on record saying the issue of match-fixing is a complex issue.
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To date no one has been indicted, incarcerated or convicted on Asiagate. The nation waits with bated breath as to what will happen next.
It is another story accusing someone that they killed someone and in the same vein it is another story finding that person guilty.
In 1995, OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson after a lengthy, internationally publicised criminal trial – the People v Simpson.
Despite what appeared to be overwhelming evidence against OJ, he was acquitted. Such is the way the law operates. The onus is on the prosecution to prove beyond doubt that the accused is indeed guilty.
We are not celebrating Asiagate, far from it.
If it indeed happened, that people sold our country for 30 pieces of silver, they should face the guillotine.
If it occurred, it was a shameful act by footballers, football administrators and journalists which can be equated to treason.
They sacrificed national pride and their patriotism.
That is why we are advocating that this Asiagate must be dealt once and for all. It should pave way for football development in the country.
Suddenly everyone has forgotten that our Mighty Warriors recently conquered the region in the Cosafa women’s tournament.
Suddenly the country has forgotten that a talent down in Birchenough Bridge needs to be identified and be brought to the fore.
We fully agree with prominent lawyer Selby Hwacha who said of this scandal about his client Rushwaya:
“The committee should be brave enough to call her in a court of law, prove the allegations or shut up forever.”
We urge Zifa and other interested stakeholders to deal decisively with this indignity. It’s nauseating to talk about a scandal that does not have victims at all.
