Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has suspended three match officials for a series of poor performances that failed to meet the standards expected in top-tier local football.
In a statement, ZIFA said the decision comes after a thorough assessment by the ZIFA Referees Committee, which reviewed recent Premier Soccer League matches and found the conduct of the referees to be significantly below par.
Among those suspended is Lawrence Zimondi, who will not officiate any Premier for the next four weeks.
Zimondi’s suspension follows controversial officiating in two fixtures—Highlanders versus CAPS United on April 13 at Barbourfields Stadium and Ngezi Platinum versus Yadah on April 30 at Baobab Stadium.
His performance in both matches drew widespread criticism, prompting the committee to act.
Also suspended is Nelson Meke, who has been barred from match duties for the same four-week period.
His suspension stems from a poor performance during the match between Scotland and Herentals played on May 1 at Rufaro Stadium. According to the Referees Committee, Meke failed to maintain control of the game and made several questionable decisions that influenced the match outcome.
The third official, Tichaona Mbire, received the longest suspension and will be out of action for five weeks.
While specific matches were not cited in his case, the committee concluded that his recent performances were not up to the required standard for the Premier League.
ZIFA reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of officiating in Zimbabwean football and maintaining the integrity of the game.
The association emphasized that referees play a critical role in ensuring fair competition and that accountability is essential in building public trust in the sport.
New Ziana
