OnSport Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has suspended the remaining members of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) National Executive Board and the National Executive Committee, effectively removing them from all rugby administration in the country.
In a statement Wednesday, the SRC said the suspension follows a resolution passed by the SRC Board of Commissioners on 9 September 2025.
It was effected under section 30 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act (Chapter 25:15) and will remain in force until the next ZRU elections are held.
According to the SRC, the ZRU failed to comply with section 29(8)(b) of the Act, which requires registered national associations to operate within prescribed governance standards.
The commission had earlier issued a show-cause order on 4 September, prompting the resignation of eight board members. However, the remaining members failed to make representations, leading to their suspension.
The ZRU has long battled governance challenges, with repeated allegations of financial mismanagement, poor leadership, and failure to adequately develop grassroots rugby. Sponsorship has dwindled, and the once-competitive Sables have struggled to regain their former status in African rugby.
The SRC, mandated to oversee national sporting associations, has previously intervened in other sports, most notably in 2019 when it suspended the Zimbabwe Cricket board over governance issues—a move that initially triggered sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) before normalcy was restored.
It also intervened in football in 2021, leading to the suspension of ZIFA by Fifa.
World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, has historically taken a hard line against government interference in the affairs of national unions.
SRC suspends Zimbabwe Rugby Union board
