Ex-FAZ General-Secretary Kashala challenges dismissal, labels Kamanga’s actions unconstitutional

Former Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General-Secretary, Adrian Kashala, has claimed that his dismissal by FAZ president, Andrew Kamanga, was both illegal and unconstitutional.

Court documents revealed that Kamanga terminated Kashala’s contract through a press statement posted on FAZ’s official Facebook page around February 23, 2023.

Kashala asserted that this action violated FAZ’s constitution, specifically Article 35(f), which stated that the power to hire or dismiss a General-Secretary rests solely with the FAZ executive committee, not the president.

Kashala further accused Kamanga of unlawfully appointing Ivy Lengwe as acting General-Secretary without following proper procedures.

In his legal defense, Kashala dismissed accusations that he conspired with Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu to undermine Kamanga’s leadership, calling the claims baseless and defamatory.

Kashala noted that he had actively supported Kamanga’s election campaigns in both 2016 and 2021, indicating that their professional relationship had been positive until his abrupt dismissal in 2023.

Kamanga, however, has taken his grievances to the Lusaka High Court, seeking damages from both Kashala and Nkandu.

He accused the two of orchestrating a malicious campaign to discredit his leadership and harm his reputation within the football community.

Kamanga further alleged that Kashala, during his tenure, awarded contracts to questionable entities without following procurement regulations.

Kashala has denied these accusations, calling them a smokescreen intended to shift blame for FAZ’s failures.

He insisted that all contracts during his tenure, including those related to FIFA Forward projects, were approved by the executive committee and managed by consultants under FAZ’s supervision.

Additionally, Kashala dismissed claims of collusion in organizing events like the “Barcelona Legends Match” and the “Africa Legends Match,” demanding that Kamanga provided evidence of any wrongdoing.

He argued that any financial or reputational damage suffered by FAZ was due to Kamanga’s poor leadership, not his actions.

Kashala’s defense rejected all allegations and portrayed Kamanga’s lawsuit as a desperate attempt to divert attention from his own failures.

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