Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Sports Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has taken decisive action against the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU), ordering the immediate resignation of its national executive board and committee and subsequently suspending the remaining officials over ongoing governance failures.
In a statement, SRC Director General Eltah Nengomasha confirmed that all Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) executives must step down, citing leadership and administrative shortcomings that have tarnished the sport’s reputation.
The commission initially set a deadline of 5 September 2025 for resignations, with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) required to provide a valid explanation by 8 September as to why Section 30 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act [Chapter 25:15] should not be enforced.
The directive follows weeks of turmoil within the rugby leadership. Acting president Tapfuma Parirenyatwa had briefly resigned before retracting his decision, while elected president Losson Mtongwizo remains suspended over allegations of mismanagement. Women’s chairperson Regina Mwanandiwa has also been sidelined under similar circumstances.
SRC’s intervention underscores the urgent need for accountability in Zimbabwean rugby, especially after the country celebrated qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup—a historic achievement now overshadowed by administrative instability.
The SRC said:
“The remaining members of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) National Executive Board and Committee have been suspended from all rugby-related activities in Zimbabwe, including holding office within the union, noting that the suspension will remain in effect until the next Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) elections”.
The commission cited the ZRU’s failure to comply with section 29(8)(b) of the SRC Act and the lack of submissions following a show cause order issued on 4 September 2025.
SRC has assured stakeholders that it will provide guidance for a smooth transition, aiming to restore professionalism, transparency, and trust in rugby administration.
Experts warn that continued instability could affect Zimbabwean rugby’s international standing, while SRC’s decisive action sends a strong message to other sporting bodies to uphold governance and ethical standards.
Zimbabwean rugby now faces a critical period of restructuring as the SRC plans to announce the union’s strategic direction in due course.
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