By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, May 4, 2026 — The ZIFA Eastern Region faces an early test of its disciplinary machinery following extraordinary pre-match scenes at Chisamba Ground, where Destiny Stars FC’s entire technical team and playing squad allegedly scaled the perimeter fence to gain access to the pitch in direct defiance of competition regulations.
An incident report filed by Mutare City Rovers Chief Security Officer Romberai Madyiqa, dated 2 May 2026, details two separate breaches of venue access protocol ahead of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup fixture against Mutare City Rovers.
According to the report, Destiny Stars Head Coach Itai “Madhinda” Makumi and Assistant Coach Sherphard “Dragliner” Muradzikwa jumped the fence at approximately 13:40 hours — 20 minutes before the pitch was scheduled to open at 14:00 hours.
When the gates officially opened, Mutare City Rovers players entered through the designated access point, but the entire Destiny Stars squad allegedly followed their coaches’ example, bypassing the main gate and vaulting the perimeter fence to enter the field.
The actions place Destiny Stars in breach of several provisions of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Rules & Regulations. Section 6.1.1 requires all clubs and officials to “observe and comply with the rules and regulations” of the competition, while Section 6.1.7 binds them to “observe the principles of fair play.” Deliberately circumventing a designated security access point not only violates the duty to comply with match-day directives but also undermines the sporting integrity mandated by the rules.
The matter further triggers the competition’s disciplinary framework under Section 11 (Disciplinary Offences and Fines), exposing the club and its officials to potential fines, suspensions, or other sanctions.
“Such conduct compromises safety, undermines match officials’ authority, and sets a negative precedent for discipline and order at official fixtures,” Madyiqa wrote, adding that both photographic and video evidence have been submitted to the Eastern Region.
However, the case may be slow to advance. Contacted for comment on Sunday, ZIFA Eastern Region administrator Fungai Munyoro said he was not yet in possession of the security chief’s report.
“I’m still going through match day reports. The CSSO report hasn’t reached me as yet,” Munyoro told this publication.
The delay means an investigation is yet to be formally opened, leaving the competition’s governing body with an unresolved security scandal as the tournament progresses. Once the report is lodged, the Eastern Region — empowered by Section 3.1 of the rules, which vests full control and management of the competition in ZIFA — will be expected to examine whether Destiny Stars FC’s conduct warrants an appearance before a disciplinary panel, and whether the sanctions available under the rulebook will be applied to safeguard match-day order across the competition.