(Last Updated on September 25, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Sports Recreation Commission (SRC) are said to be under fire from government officials for giving VIP status to Morgan Tsvangirai when the national soccer team played against Guinea earlier this month.
ZIFA and SRC officials were ordered to write reports explaining why they allowed the former Prime minster to be part of the VIP group at Rufaro Stadium.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition MDC-T party, was accompanied by wife Elizabeth when he watched the game in Mbare.
“The directive came from the President’s office asking us to write detailed reports explaining why Tsvangirai was given that treatment,” an official with the SRC who asked not to be named fearing further victimisation told NewZimbabwe.com on Wednesday.
“They said he (Tsvangirai) was supposed to seat in the terraces because he is now an ordinary man. They said by according him VIP status were trying to suggest that he is still relevant.
“We have since submitted the reports and we are waiting to hear from them. But what we know for certain is that they were not happy with the reception the MDC leader got from the football fans when he arrived for the game”.
The entire crowd at Rufaro Stadium cheered when Tsvangirai and his wife arrived for the game.
The national soccer team drew 1-1 with Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier after striker Knowledge Musona cancelled out an Idrissa Sylla strike.