ZIFA to lose R 8.7 million to former employee

The Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA] has been plunged into fresh problems after its former director of administration Lazarus Mhurushomana secured a writ of attachment to recover the R 8.7 million [ USD$ 518 331.81] the struggling association owes him.

Mhurushomana has been battling with the association over his salary arrears and fuel allowances since his retrenchment in 2004.

His benefits have accumulated with interest over the years. The development will likely leave the association’s coffers empty, especially since funding from FIFA was cut owing to the current suspension on the country.

The former administrator won his case against ZIFA in 2013 when he got the arbitral award of R 27 000 monthly salaries and R 3 500 telephone allowances, but ZIFA was reluctant to comply. 

FARPost is in possession of a copy of the writ of attachment handed by the Chief Justice, Luke Malaba, which ordered the Sheriff’s department to attach movable goods in the recovery process.

WHAT MALABA SAID…

“You are required and directed to attach and take into execution the movable goods of the Zimbabwe Football Association [ZIFA], the above-mentioned defendant of ZIFA House, Number 53 Livingstone Avenue, Harare, of the same cause to be realized the sum of USD$ 518 331.81 [Five hundred and eighteen thousand three hundred and thirty-three and eighty once cents] which plaintiff recovered by order of the court dated 17th day of September 2013. 

“The above-mentioned suit and also all other costs charges of the plaintiff on the said suit herein after duly taxed according to law, besides all your costs to be incurred.

“Further to pay the plaintiff and its legal practitioner, the sum of sums due to it with costs as mentioned and for so doing, this shall be your warrant. And return this writ with what you have done thereupon,” reads the writ of attaching.”

Mhurushomana was retrenched in 2004 but had been fighting in vain to get his severance package for the past 19 years.

After yielding nothing from his engagement with ZIFA, Mhurushomana cited unfair labour practices, which went to arbitration.

The wrangle spiralled to the courts, but all previous ZIFA administrations ultimately failed to honour the debt.