HARARE – Former Zimbabwe Referees Committee secretary general Obert Zhoya’s dance with organised football has come to an end following a five year ban by Fifa for alleged sexual harassment of subordinates.

The move has been welcomed by gender activists.

On top of the ban, Zhoya was slapped with a CHF 20000 fine.

The international football governing body found Zhoya guilty of the offence following allegations made by Bulawayo female referee Blessing Mpande last year.

Mpande was among three female referees who blew the whistle on Zhoya and Zifa board member Bryton Malandule.

The victims’ submissions in writing provided much of the evidence which was collaborated by other investigations that saw Fifa conclude that there was a case against the under fire sports administrator.

Zimbabweans had almost given up on justice being delivered for the Girl Child as the Zifa board led by its former boss appeared not too keen to pursue the matter. This left the victims with no option but to take the matter to Fifa, who, together with the Confederation of African Football, also seemed to turn a deaf ear on the matter.

Zhoya was advised Thursday by Fifa that he had indeed breached Article 23 (Protection of physical and mental integrity), Article 25 (Abuse of position) and, by corollary, Article 13 (General duties) of the Fifa Code of Ethics.

His ban is with immediate effect and he will be notified of the grounds of his conviction within 60 days.

It still has to be seen whether he will indeed pay the fine as prescribed as football was not his day to day life.

Meanwhile, Lindile Ndebele, a Bulawayo based women’s advocacy proponent described the case as sad adding that it limits girls’ growth in sporting activities. She said women were affected in that most of sport is led by men.

“It is so sad that in this day and age when so much has been said around safeguarding of the Girl Child, it took so long to punish the culprits,” said Ndebele.

She felt Fifa should have prioritised the case that took over a year to deal with.

Ndebele added that Zimbabwe was losing in sport for women because of uncouth men who tended to prey on vulnerable women.

“The uncouth behaviour by some men who take advantage, destroy talents of young women.

“Let’s have more reports from other sports like volleyball; who knows, this could be happening! Kudos to all girls who report cases of abuse,” Ndebele said.

Cecilia Malunga, a veteran in women’s football administration, welcomed the development saying at last justice has been delivered.

“The victims may now heave a sigh of relief that the case has been brought to a conclusion,” said Malunga.

Several gender activists feel the move will deter like perverts from abusing women.