Former Hardbody treasurer Raymond Mugandani was on Tuesday thrown a lifeline after he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Zifa Appeals Committee for his alleged role in the fraudulent registration of midfielder Tatenda Chingara.
His successful appeal comes as mystery continues to shroud the conclusion of the stormy Hardbody-Tripple B off-field promotional dispute which is now at the Commercial Arbitration Center (CAC). Mugandani was last year found guilty of facilitating during the time then as club secretary the improper registration of the player by the Central Region Disciplinary Committee which had also docked the busmen a staggering 42 points.
The Reginald Chidawanyika-chaired disciplinary committee had banned Mugandani from all football-related activities for 12 months. But the Tererayi Gunje-led Appeals court dismissed Mugandanis initial judgement as based on false charges.
In the circumstances we are unable to confirm the charge and conviction of the appellant. The charged conviction was premised on non-existent legislation. One cannot be charged with murder if murder is not an offence in the first place, read part of the judgement.
Mugandani can now safely assume his new role of secretary general at his newly-found base, Midlands State University Football Club which is on the brink of earning promotion into the Central Soccer League.
Mugandanis reprieve also comes in the wake of another amnesty for club director Takesure Sibanda who was recently cleared of attempted match-fixing by the Appeals Committee after he had been fined $800.
But Mugandanis woes could be far from over as the CAC presiding Tribble Bs appeal against handing back Hardbody 42 points could still find him guilty if the judgement goes in the formers favour.
The two clubs are anxious to know their fate and if they would be plying their trade in the Premiership, with the Premier Soccer League also waiting to know which team would win promotion into the league which kicks in less than a months time.
