News

Ebrahim accused of blackmailing players

Max Ebrahim, Zimbabwe's controversial chief selector, has been accused of using his power to coerce players to defect from local sides and play for Universals, where he happens to be chairman

Steven Price
19-Jan-2005
Max Ebrahim, Zimbabwe's controversial chief selector, has been accused of using his power to coerce players to defect from local sides and play for Universals, where he happens to be chairman.
The claims have been made in a letter sent to Peter Chingoka, Zimbabwe Cricket's chairman, by Stephen Mangongo, the chairman of Takashinga and Ebrahim's predecessor as the head of Zimbabwe's selectors.
Mangongo alleges that Ebrahim has been threatening Takashinga's players. "Alestair Maregwede and Chamunorwa Chibhabha have told Takashinga that they have been instructed to play for Universals by Ebrahim with immediate effect," Mangongo claimed. "As I write this letter Alestair and Chamunorwa have played for Universals for fear of victimisation and loss of playing contract. We have also been told that other six of our players who have not agreed to the kofve by Ebrahim have been threatened with withdrawal of contracts."
Mangongo asked Chingoka to investigate the claims, concluding: "If there is any extortion, this is the extortion at its highest level. How the ZCU allows Macsood to bully people left, right and centre leaves a lot to be desired concerning the professional image of the organisation."
The situation represents a remarkable decline in the fortunes of Takashinga. Less than a year ago it was Zimbabwe's leading club side, and with Mangongo an influential figure within Zimbabwe cricket, it carried tremendous influence and was at the vanguard of the politicisation of the game.
In April, Telford Vice reported how the club's players had been "sent home from development clinics by the national coach Geoff Marsh for turning up in T-shirts and bandanas supporting the ruling party Zanu PF." One interviewee told him: "Every time they play against white or Indian clubs there are problems. There are always racial things said, and arguments on the field. They are so political it's frightening. The sledging is so aggressive."
But in recent months there have been stories fed to the press alleging that all is not well, and Mangongo's recent demise within the ZC powerbase, and subsequent allegations of financial mismanagement with the club, have had an effect. In October, Tatenda Taibu, Zimbabwe's captain, walked out on Takashinga for reasons that were less than clear. And the club was recently at the forefront of the attempted rebellion against ZC over its rebranding.
So much of the daily process inside Zimbabwe relies on who has the power. Mangongo did and now he doesn't, and Ebrahim, who can play these games as well as anyone, is taking full advantage.
The most likely scenario is that Chingoka will ask Ozias Bvute, ZC's general manager, to investigate. But Bvute and Mangongo have a history. Back in May, they had a heated row in front of journalists over the make-up of the national side - Bvute wanted more blacks, Mangongo wanted to pick the best side. The discussion allegedly ended with Bvute forcing Mangongo into an arm lock to show who was in charge.
Since then, Mangongo's star has rapidly waned. It doesn't take too much imagination to speculate what outcome any ZC investigation into his claims will produce.