The recent announcement that Zimbabwe Saints, a club steeped in history and once a giant of Zimbabwean football, will not participate in the 2026 ZIFA Southern Region Division One season has left the sporting fraternity reeling. This tragic demise is not merely a sporting setback but the culmination of a protracted and bitter leadership fight, which many insiders describe as a deliberate act of sabotage. This investigative report delves into the dirty power struggles that allegedly murdered the club, exposing the hidden agendas of board members and the valuable property assets at the heart of this footballing ‘assassination’.
Zimbabwe Saints, affectionately known as ‘Chauya Chikwata’, boasts a rich legacy, having produced numerous national stars and commanded a passionate fan base. Its sudden collapse, therefore, raises serious questions about the stewardship of its leadership. Our investigation has uncovered the intricate details of the internal wrangling, identifying key factions and individuals whose personal ambitions and financial interests allegedly superseded the welfare of the club. Boardroom politics, often fuelled by greed and a desire for control, have systematically dismantled a revered institution.
Central to this alleged power struggle are the club’s valuable assets, particularly its properties and potential revenue streams. This documentary-style analysis reveals how these assets became the focal point of contention, with various parties vying for control, ultimately leading to the club’s paralysis and eventual withdrawal from competitive football. We examine the financial mismanagement, the alleged misappropriation of funds, and the deliberate creation of administrative chaos that made it impossible for the club to meet its obligations. The question is not just who killed Zimbabwe Saints, but who stands to gain from its demise, particularly from the liquidation or acquisition of its assets.
For Zimbabwean sports enthusiasts and current affairs lovers, this piece aims to simplify the complex web of deceit and self-interest that led to the downfall of a national treasure. It exposes the hidden details and potential conspiracies behind the club’s collapse, challenging the official narrative of mere administrative challenges. By connecting the dots between boardroom politics, financial motives, and the tragic loss of a sporting icon, this article empowers readers to understand the true cost of corruption and mismanagement in the world of Zimbabwean football, prompting a demand for accountability and transparency in sports governance.
A Legacy Betrayed
Founded in 1932, Zimbabwe Saints is an institution that transcends mere sport. It is a cultural touchstone for Bulawayo, having nurtured legends such as Gibson Homela, Agent Sawu, Ephraim Chawanda, and Ebson Muguyo. The club secured a historic league and cup double in 1977 and replicated that success by winning the league and the Chibuku Trophy in 1988. However, the modern era has seen the club reduced to a shadow of its former self, shuttling between non-existence, Division Two, and the Premiership, before finally crashing out of Division One.
The final nail in the coffin was hammered home at the ZIFA Southern Region annual general meeting in Esigodini in March 2026. The league confirmed that Zimbabwe Saints had been excluded from the 18-team lineup submitted to ZIFA in Harare. The official reason was that the club had become too entangled in legal battles to function.
“The Zimbabwe Saints matter is now before the courts. They have taken each other to court,” stated ZIFA Southern Region chairman Chris Mtungwazi. He further elaborated on the precarious position the league found itself in, noting, “If we admit one faction today, we could wake up to a court challenge from the other.”
The sentiment among football administrators is one of exhaustion. An anonymous councillor who attended the meeting painted a grim picture of the club’s standing. “They are toxic in their current state. Football cannot deal with a divided club,” the councillor remarked.
The Factions at War
The paralysis of Zimbabwe Saints is the direct result of a vicious turf war between two primary factions. On one side is the group led by Ishmael Kaguru, the acting executive chairman, which includes club legend Gibson Homela and Martin Mabvira. This faction argues that the club must operate under its 1999 constitution and has taken the matter of “custodianship” to the courts.
On the opposing side stands Vincent Pamire, a former ZIFA boss and the only remaining trustee from the group appointed in 1988. Pamire’s authority as chairman of the trustees is currently being challenged through legal proceedings. The Kaguru faction is actively seeking the removal of Pamire and his associates, including former executive member Tawanda Ruzive, whose executive committee has already been dismissed.
In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, the trustees penned a letter dated March 12, 2026, addressed to the ZIFA Southern Region Division One congress. “We, the Trustees of Zimbabwe Saints FC, being the custodians of the club, write to express our deepest and sincere apologies for the unacceptable behaviour of our representatives at the Zifa Southern Region AGM of 2025 and for our failure to meet our financial obligations to the league,” the letter read.
Despite the Kaguru group depositing funds into the ZIFA account to cover registration fees, they were advised to collect a refund. The league’s hands were tied by the ongoing litigation.
“It’s very unfortunate that we have now been expelled from the league, but irrespective of that, the situation is beyond our control considering where we stand right now as a nation economically,” lamented Ishmael Kaguru.
The Prize: Real Estate and Revenue
While the factions publicly argue over constitutions and custodianship, insiders suggest the true battleground is the club’s lucrative real estate portfolio. Zimbabwe Saints is not just a football team; it is a property owner.
The crown jewel is the Queens Park East Sports Complex, formerly the Italian Club, which was acquired by the trustees in 1988. Additionally, the club owns a stand and a house in Mganin, properties donated by a member in 2025.
The Queens Park East clubhouse currently houses a tenant operating a bar and a braai spot, generating an estimated US$1,500 per month in rent. In the context of Division One football, where hosting a home game costs approximately US$400, this rental income should comfortably cover the club’s operational expenses. Yet, the club was expelled for failing to pay affiliation fees and player bonuses.
Allegations have surfaced that this vital revenue stream is being diverted. A club insider revealed that the US$1,500 monthly rent is allegedly being pocketed by an individual rather than being deposited into the club’s coffers. Emergency meetings called to address this financial black hole have been mysteriously aborted.
When confronted with these allegations, Vincent Pamire dismissed them as a distraction. “The issue of rentals from the clubhouse is neither here nor there. I have been helping this club for years and now people are bothered by money paid by the tenant at the clubhouse. I have nothing to hide,” Pamire stated.
A Pattern of Plunder
The financial mismanagement at Zimbabwe Saints extends beyond the clubhouse rentals. In 2025, the club lost a crucial US$30,000 sponsorship deal from an Australian benefactor, Adrian Mtungwazi, following allegations that portions of the funds had been misappropriated. This loss of corporate trust has left the club entirely dependent on the dwindling goodwill of a few individuals.
This crisis is not occurring in a vacuum. The collapse of Zimbabwe Saints is symptomatic of a broader rot within Zimbabwean football. Across the city, another giant, Highlanders FC, is currently embroiled in its own corruption scandal, facing investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over secret payouts and shady contracts. Furthermore, the Division One league itself was rocked by match-fixing allegations in late 2025.
The tragic irony is that while administrators fight over the spoils, the players and the fans are the ones who suffer. The death of Zimbabwe Saints is a stark reminder that when greed supersedes the love of the game, even the mightiest giants can be brought to their knees. The question remains: when the dust settles and the football is gone, who will be left holding the keys to the clubhouse?
