Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Daud Mtanthiko has been cleared of sexual harassment, but faces disciplinary action for entering the room of a female member of the Scorchers delegation during the international friendly against South Africa in April.
A commission of enquiry set up by the association found that Mtanthiko on April 10, entered the room of Hazvi Nyambizi, who is a member of FAM’s adhoc media committee and had travelled with the team as media officer.
However, the commission found no evidence of sexual harassment.
at night: Mtanthiko |FAM
Reading out the commission of enquiry’s report to the media yesterday at FAM at offices in Chiwembe, Blantyre, FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said the complainant failed to provide evidence that Mtanthiko sexually harassed her.
Mtanthiko initially denied going to Nyambizi’s room, but when confronted that FAM would retrieve hotel footage, he changed tune and admitted visiting the complainant’s room at her invitation.
But Nyambizi told the commission of enquiry, headed by FAM first vice-president Christopher Madalitso Kuyera, that she did not invite Mtanthiko to her room.
According to Haiya, WhatsApp messages which could have helped the enquiry establish what the two were deleted by the complainant.
He said: “The commission of enquiry established that the two had been exchanging messages prior to the trip and while in South Africa on the day of the incident.
“Unfortunately, she [Nyambizi] deleted the messages on both ends before lodging the complaint which left the commission of enquiry in a situation where it did not find any evidence of the sexual harassment.”
However, Haiya said the commission of enquiry found Mtanthiko’s behaviour wanting due to his conduct and dishonesty.
He said: “As the leader of delegation and FAM executive member of his behaviour was unacceptable. He denied going to the lady’s room which is dishonesty only to admit it later.
“For this, he will appear before a disciplinary committee. He will also remain suspended pending the disciplinary committee outcome.”
Meanwhile, the commission of enquiry has recommended that FAM should establish a sexual harassment policy and clear channels of lodging complaints.
“As FAM, we have accepted the report’s findings, the determination and the recommendations,” said Haiya.
Both Mtanthiko and Nyambizi were not available for comment yesterday.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission is also conducting an independent investigation into the sexual harassment scandal which was first reported by the media.
