Kudzanai Hiya, who served as an assistant referee during the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Herentals and Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on May 12, has been banned from all football-related activities for five years. In addition, he was fined US$116,650 after being found guilty of match-fixing and corruption.
The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, became controversial after Hiya accepted a US$400 bribe from a Dynamos supporter to sway the outcome in favor of the Glamour Boys. Despite denying the allegations, the 14-year veteran referee was found guilty of “bringing the game into disrepute” and engaging in “match manipulation and corruption” following a thorough investigation.
However, the disciplinary committee dismissed two other charges against Hiya, including gross incompetence and failure to uphold fair play principles. Meanwhile, the match’s head referee, Tichaona Mbire, was exonerated of all accusations by the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee, which was chaired by Florence Jambwa.
The committee emphasized that Hiya’s long tenure in football aggravated his offense, as he was expected to understand the rules and consequences better. The ruling highlighted that accepting bribes and engaging in match manipulation are serious violations that can attract lifetime bans.
Hiya received a five-match suspension for one of the charges, while a separate five-year ban from all football activities and a fine of CHF 100,000 (equivalent to the US$116,650) were imposed to reflect the gravity of his actions. These sanctions serve as a warning to other officials and aim to preserve the integrity of the sport.
The incident on May 12 initially sparked chaos when a Dynamos supporter, who accused Hiya of taking a bribe, stormed the referees’ changing room demanding the money back. Fans responded by invading the pitch and hurling objects, expressing frustration over contentious decisions, including the disallowance of goals for both teams due to offside calls.
Following these events, the ZIFA Referees Committee, led by Brighton Mudzamiri, Wilfred Mukuna, and Tapfumanei Mutengwa, conducted an investigation. Their findings confirmed that Hiya had accepted the bribe and manipulated the match, which led to his subsequent trial and punishment by the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee
ALSO READ : Stepsons Claim Father’s Assets, Leaving Biological Sons in the Dust