Mangongo suspended by board

Reports that Stephen Mangongo, the former head of Zimbabwe's selectors, had been suspended from Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) were confirmed in the weekend's newspaper in Harare.

Mangongo, along with Givemore Makoni, the general manger of Mashonaland Cricket Association (MCA), were suspended for unspecified reasons, although it is thought that it relates to the recent move by the MCA to bring a vote of no confidence against the ZC board.

The unrest against the board surfaced last week, and it is believed that senior MCA officials want to take their case to the ICC. The official meeting to discuss the vote of no confidence is due to take place on Wednesday (December 22).

But Peter Chingoka, ZC's chairman, sought to turn the tables on the dissenters, claiming that the MCA's move was no more than a bid to cover up an investigation into the conduct of some officials, including Mangongo, at the Takashinga club.

A local reporter told Cricinfo that the news of Mangongo's suspension was not surprising. "They are out to fix him," he said, pointing out that his position and influence within the board had been weakening steadily in recent months. He was replaced as head of selectors at the AGM in August, when it was stated that he would be in India on a coaching course for most of the year, but he has remained in Zimbabwe. "That was a way of getting rid of him," the source added, "and it succeeded."

There are also reports - unsubstantiated - that was an attempt to remove Max Ebrahim, the current head of selectors, as chairman of Masvingo.