Midard Khumalo
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE government has released a grant of about $19,000 for the just-ended Zimbabwe National Paralympics Games that were held in Matabeleland South early this month.
There was a chaotic ending to the games as the Games officials staged a demonstration demanding their allowances.
Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister Abigail Damasane was caught in the fracas and held hostage for four hours alongside some organisers of the event by the angry protesters.
Assistant Commissioner Happymore Sigauke, the second in command of Matabeleland South police, and provincial administrator Midard Khumalo intervened towards midnight to break the tense standoff with the officials numbering about 40.
The angry officials blocked vehicles coming out of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College, including that of Damasane and SRC director, Joseph Muchechetere, who was driving in the same car with the games project manager Martin Dururu.
The Sports and Recreation Commission’s Matabeleland South coordinator Lifa Mpofu on Sunday confirmed that the government had released a portion of the grant.
“Something has come through yes. I think it’s in the region of $19,000 and it’s in the process of being dispatched. People will be receiving their allowances soon,” said Mpofu.
Last week, SRC spokesperson Tirivashe Nheweyembwa said in future all officials would be asked to submit their bank accounts so that their allowances are deposited directly into their accounts instead of paying them in hard cash.