OnSport Reporter
THE Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) has suspended coach Blessing Mafuwa pending investigations into allegations he racially abused national team captain Sikanda Raza on June 1 during a dometic match at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Mafuwa is due for a disciplinary hearing this Tuesday.
The explosive allegations stem from a domestic match on June 1 between Raza’s Old Hararians Sports Club and Mafuwa’s Rainbow Cricket Club.
Confirming swift action by cricket authorities, HMCA chairperson Tafadzwa Madoro stated: “We received a report of racial abuse that our T20 captain suffered last week. Mafuwa will attend a hearing this coming Tuesday to answer charges and is suspended from all HMCA activities until further notice.”
Former domestic cricket writer Joseph Madyembwa also brought the scandal to light through a detailed X thread, citing disturbing audio clips.
In the recordings, Mafuwa allegedly admits to subjecting Raza to “vile, unprintable language” during the match.
Madyembwa exposed further, a damning clip, capturing Mafuwa labeling Raza’s Alex Sports Club an “Asian club,” which the former cricketer condemned as “divisive racial stereotyping, factually false for a diverse institution.”
A separate voice note sent to Mafuwa escalated matters, accusing Raza of match-fixing while endorsing the abuse. “Targeting a servant of Zimbabwean cricket for over a decade is disgraceful,” stated Madyembwa. “This poison has no place in our sport.”
The alleged abuse starkly contrasted with Raza’s on-field dominance that day.
The Old Hararians skipper smashed 78 off 56 balls, powering his side to 402/9 before securing a 142-run DLS victory.
The performance came weeks after Raza’s latest heroics – flying in minutes before the toss to captain Lahore Qalandars to a Pakistan Super League title.
As Tuesday’s hearing approaches, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-racism policies loom large. Racism, including slurs, stereotyping, or inciting hatred, is a Level 3 Offence carrying minimum 4-match bans or suspensions up to two years.
With the burden of proof on the accused, Mafuwa’s defense faces intense scrutiny.
ICC’s Stance on Racism by Coaches
The International Cricket Council (ICC) enforces a zero-tolerance policy against racial discrimination. Key provisions relevant to this case:
1. Prohibited Conduct: Racism includes racial slurs, derogatory language, stereotyping (e.g., racially profiling a club), or inciting hatred.
2. Severity Level: Classified as a Level 3 Offence – the second-highest tier in the ICC Code of Conduct.
3. Minimum Penalty: 4 Suspension Points, equating to a ban of 4–10 matches or up to 2 years for severe violations.
4. Burden of Proof: The accused must disprove allegations to the “comfortable satisfaction” of disciplinary bodies.
5. Global Mandate: All ICC member boards (like Zimbabwe Cricket) must enforce equivalent standards domestically.
ZC Racism Storm: Mafuwa suspended, faces hearing
