Harare Province Boxing Association Petitions SRC Over ZBF Elections

The HPBA has petitioned the SRC(image source)

The Harare Province Boxing Association (HPBA) has formally petitioned the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) over what it describes as a “skewed” election framework for the upcoming Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) board polls.

In a letter dated 8 August and copied to the ZBF, HPBA secretary Kingston Jokonya and chair Kambuyi Thomas argued that the nomination window—less than seven days and closing on 15 August—effectively disenfranchises credible contenders. They contend that this timeline undermines the spirit, if not the letter, of the ZBF constitution, and have urged the SRC to intervene, extend nomination deadlines, and enforce constitutional compliance.

ZBF had initially planned to omit board elections from its September 6 Annual General Meeting agenda but reversed its position under public pressure. Reports suggest further controversy over candidate eligibility criteria, which critics say were introduced late and without adequate consultation. The federation has defended the process, framing the vote as part of a governance refresh aligned with International Boxing Association (IBA), African Boxing Federation (AFB) frameworks, and the SRC Act, promising to “elevate boxing” through education and development.

This is not the first time ZBF governance has come under scrutiny. Past SRC interventions, including suspensions over levy remittances a decade ago, left lasting mistrust among stakeholders. Parliament’s recent focus on sport funding and facility upgrades highlights the fragility of combat sports in Zimbabwe without transparent leadership and predictable financing. Stakeholders stress that election outcomes will determine who negotiates sanctioning rights, oversees national squads, and manages sponsor relations. A rushed nomination period, they argue, favours insiders able to prepare paperwork at short notice. Provincial associations outside Harare warn that ongoing disputes could deter sponsors and international partners—a serious risk for a sport needing equipment grants, ring-time, and medical cover more than press statements.

Analysts recommend a short, transparent extension of the nomination period—seven to ten working days—announced officially on ZBF letterhead and circulated via provincial channels. They further urge the publication of a consolidated electoral code outlining eligibility, vetting, and appeals timelines, as well as SRC observer presence at nominations closure, ballot printing, and vote counting. Such light-touch oversight, they argue, would reassure stakeholders without infringing on the federation’s autonomy.