Attorney-General Johannes Tomana yesterday said he was waiting for the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) to put a final lid on the Asiagate investigations before deciding on whether to prosecute those fingered in the match-fixing scandal.
Report by Nduduzo Tshuma
Speaking to journalists after a passout parade for 294 police officers at the Ntabazinduna Training Depot just outside Bulawayo, Tomana said police began their probe soon after Zifa started investigations, but were waiting for the country’s football governing body to complete its investigations.
“I think you are aware that the police started the investigations after Zifa started theirs. We arewaiting for Zifa to complete their investigations. As soon as they complete their investigations, we will ensure that prosecution will follow, prosecution comes after the completion of investigations,” Tomana said.
“If dockets show that an offence has been committed, then prosecution will follow.”
Asked on what punishment those found guilty of match-fixing would face, Tomana said: “There are a number of factors that we consider on a case-by-case analysis basis. We will look at the charges that the person is facing, the gravity of the offence and the moral blameworthiness of the person. The magistrates will also assess the evidence tendered.” The match-fixing scandal that has rocked the country has so far claimed the scalps of several players and officials, including journalists, after they were banned from taking part in any football-related activities by Zifa following recommendations by the Zifa-sanctioned Independent Ethics Committee chaired by Justice Ahmed Ebrahim. More details of the committee’s final report are set to be released within the next few weeks.
