By Ziyah News Reporter
DULIBADZIMU United FC is facing allegations of blocking journalists from covering its matches, raising fresh questions about transparency at one of Zimbabwe’s biggest community-owned football clubs.
Reporters from Ziyah Media claim they were denied normal access to Dulibadzimu Stadium and instructed to enter only after 2:00 PM.
The club’s technical bench, led by long-serving manager Mashefu, reportedly argues that the journalists are affiliated with a rival local club and could produce biased reports.
The fallout has gone beyond matchday access.
Journalists also allege they were removed from the club’s official WhatsApp communication groups, cutting them off from team updates, media notices and other official information routinely shared with the press.
One reporter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move was an attempt to silence independent coverage.
“First they blocked us from doing our job at the stadium, then they removed us from the WhatsApp groups. This is a community club, not a private company. If management fears journalists, the public has every right to ask why.”
Reporters further claim they were mocked by stadium security while attempting to cover the team’s matches.
The actions appear to contradict the spirit of ZIFA’s Club Licensing Regulations, which require clubs to provide accredited journalists with suitable access and working conditions on matchdays.
Clubs that fail to comply risk disciplinary measures under the licensing framework.
The incident also comes after ZIFA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting journalists from intimidation following an altercation involving Zimbabwe international Tinotenda Kadewere and a reporter.
ZIFA stated that journalists are an essential part of football and should perform their duties free from physical or verbal intimidation.
Founded in 2018, Dulibadzimu FC is funded by the people of Beitbridge, the Municipality of Beitbridge and supporters in the diaspora.
Critics argue that a club built and sustained by the community cannot selectively deny the same community access to information through independent journalists.
As pressure mounts, football stakeholders are calling for transparency and urging ZIFA to determine whether the club’s actions comply with its media access and club licensing requirements.
Ziyah Media has since its formative days broadcast, at times live, the team’s games to its Beitbridge supporters across the world via its Facebook accounts.
A concillor speaking on condition of anonymity said all council business, including the partialky sponsored team, remain a property of the people and transparency is key.
He hinted that council might be forced to reconsider its resolution if the very community it represents and serves is denied access through officially licenced media.