Zimbabwe Rugby Leadership Suspended Following Allegations of Abuse & Misconduct Toward Women’s National Team

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) has suspended its president, Losson Mtongwiza, and women’s rugby chair, Regina Mwanandiwa, following public outrage and damning allegations of abuse, threats, and financial mismanagement toward the national women’s team, the Lady Sables.

The suspensions come after a leaked audio recording in which Mtongwiza can be heard berating players after their return from the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Division 1 in Côte d’Ivoire.

“If you are here to be paid, don’t come again… we’re not here to pay people,” he said. [Source: Nehanda Radio, Apr 28, 2025]

Players were reportedly paid just US$150 for the entire tour and were required to return their travel kit and uniforms to receive their stipends.

To make matters worse, players were also asked to pay US$35 for team blazers they wore on official duty, and Mtongwiza threatened them with lifetime bans if they spoke publicly about the treatment.

“If you post anything, write to your friends or go to social media… we will ban you for life,” he warned. [Source: Nehanda Radio, Apr 28, 2025]

In response, rugby fans in Zimbabwe staged protests outside the offices of the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), leading to a formal summons of the ZRU board and an internal investigation.

What’s especially disheartening is that this situation is not unique. In February of this year, we called out the Fiji Rugby Union for similarly harmful treatment of their women’s team. In that case, players were left stranded outside airports and a senior leader was installed who made openly discriminatory remarks about LGBTQ+ athletes. We urged Unions across the globe to do better, to treat their women’s programs with basic dignity, support, and respect. Unfortunately, what’s unfolded in Zimbabwe suggests that some Unions have not taken that message to heart. Instead of reform, we continue to see corruption, exclusion, and outright abuse.

The Lady Sables had shown promise in Côte d’Ivoire, opening with a win over the hosts before falling to Tunisia and Uganda. Their World Cup hopes were dashed, but they returned home expecting support, not silence, threats, or humiliation.

The ZRU has since announced that Dr. Tapfuma Parirenyatwa will serve as acting president and Themba Ncube as acting vice president during the investigation. The women’s rugby board is expected to name an interim chair soon. The union said the suspensions will remain in effect until the inquiry concludes and committed to following its constitutional procedures.

Looking Ahead

• The ZRU leadership shakeup aims to restore credibility and rebuild trust
• The internal investigation is ongoing, with national and continental bodies watching closely
• Zimbabwe’s men’s team, the Sables, are preparing for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, which serves as a 2027 World Cup qualifier

This moment is a test, not just for Zimbabwe, but for rugby’s global community. The call for change is not new. What’s needed now is follow-through.