The trio of Herald sports editor, Robson Sharuko, freelancer Hope Chizuzu and Josh Muntali of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, would be barred from covering national team matches until they are cleared by the association’s ethics committee.
They were allegedly named by players in a damning report over the shadowy games played by the Warriors from 2007 to 2010 and ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, is said to have written to their employers to confirm the suspension.
“It is common knowledge that three journalists have been implicated in the Asiagate saga and after the suspension of over 80 players, pressure has mounted on the football association to stop the trio as well,” said a source.
“As for Sharuko, he has resorted to coming to work even when he is supposed to be off-duty, after realising the people who took over his desk in his absence publish stories that have tended to prosecute him or expose his part in the saga.”
ZIFA Communications officer, Nicky Dhlamini, professed ignorance of communication between the association and media houses.
“I am not aware of any communication between ZIFA and any particular media house over the suspension or banning of journalists from covering National team matches, but communication between ZIFA and regional body COSAFA which sought to request COSAFA to deny accreditation to a few journalists whose names I am not at liberty to disclose,” said Dhlamini.
Mashingaidze could not be reached as he was away at the time of going to print.
Post published in: Football