Government takeover in Zimbabwe almost complete

The government's grip over cricket in Zimbabwe will increase further if the proposed new board constitution is passed.

It empowers the Robert Mugabe-controlled Zanu-PF regime to appoint seven of the 12 board members for a four-year term, rendering them unaccountable to any of the country's stakeholders. Only five members will be appointed by provincial associations, and they will be outnumbered by the political appointees. They will also be subject to re-election.

The constitution also limits the power of its affiliate provinces, making it illegal for them to pass a vote of no confidence in the national board or any of its members.

On the surface, there is a safeguard in that the constitution stipulates that board members must have cricketing background - Test or ODI appearances, three years previous ZC board experience, umpiring qualifications or a record of cricketing administration. However, a degree will also suffice.

"Some of the conditions are tailor-made to suit certain people who government is likely to appoint," a highly placed official told the Independent newspaper in Harare.

The revelation came at a bitter meeting of stakeholders in Mutare. Those present spoke of shocking "power-seeking" after some provincial delegates even wanted their newly-created associations, filled with individuals appointed by the Peter Chingoka-dominated board, to automatically take up 10 of the posts on the ZC board.

However, a senior ZC official said that the new constitution had been forced by the instability which preceded the government intervention in January.