Moyo's 'Battle of Tsholotsho' thwarted

Moyo's 'Battle of Tsholotsho' thwarted

MOYO

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was pushed to the edges of despair at the weekend after Zanu PF blocked a soccer match he was sponsoring between premier league champions Caps United and Highlanders in his Tsholotsho stronghold.

The dramatic events came just days after President Robert Mugabe dropped Moyo from the Zanu PF central committee, and hours of his expulsion from the politburo -- a party strategising club.

The state-run Chronicle newspaper said the match -- scheduled for last Saturday and dubbed The Battle of Tsholotsho -- had been cancelled due to "political interference".

"Both Highlanders and CAPS had confirmed their participation in the tournament, but things took a dramatic turn on Thursday when politicians intervened in the match," the Chronicle reported.

The paper, quoting "reliable sources", says "some senior politicians" approached both Highlanders and CAPS and told them not to go and play in Tsholotsho.

PSL secretary-general Chris Sambo and Zifa chairman Rafik Khan reportedly phoned Caps United president Twine Phiri and warned him against taking part in the tournament and directed them not to play.

"At 9am on Friday, more pressure was exerted on CAPS and the club eventually informed the organisers that they were no longer able to travel to Tsholotsho," the Chronicle said.

Moyo was prepared to splash $50 million, with the winners taking home $35 and the remainder going to the losing team.

In related developments, a group of Zanu PF youths thought to be loyal to former Cabinet minister andf Zapu stalwart Dumiso Dabengwa marched on the Zanu PF offices in Bulawayo.

They told reporters their mission was to "evict Tsholotsho sell-outs", reference to Moyo's camp. Their invasion was however, repelled by the other youths manning the offices after they quickly mobilised.
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