NamibiaSport

Tom Saintfiet

Former Brave Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet’s application for a work permit in Zimbabwe was turned down on Wednesday.

According to news reports from Zimbabwe, authorities told the Zimbabwe Football Association that Saintfiet was an unsuitable work permit candidate because he had already breached section 22 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act of 1998.

The section says “no person who wishes to engage in an occupation in Zimbabwe … shall enter Zimbabwe for the purpose of engaging in that occupation unless he is in possession of a valid employment permit or other authority in terms of the Act to do so”.

Saintfiet controversially arrived as a replacement for caretaker coach Norman Mapeza in early October after quitting his job as Namibia coach.

He was asked to leave the country on October 5, days before a key African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Cape Verde, after immigration authorities said he was in the country illegally.

It later emerged that ZIFA had not obtained a work permit for Saintfiet when they entered into a contract with him.
According to newzimbabwe.com website, acting ZIFA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed the development.

"I can confirm that Saintfiet's application for a work permit has been turned down. We will study the decision and plan our next step,” he was quoted as saying.

When contacted by Namibia Sport, Saintfiet said he did not want to comment on the issue at this stage.

“I also just heard about this through the media so I dont want to make any comments on media reports. However, I have instructed my lawyers to follow up the issue and they are in contact with ZIFA,” he said.

Saintfiet has been without a job since mid-September when he controversially resigned as the Brave Warriors coach after being appointed by ZIFA as Zimbabwe’s new coach. He however did not stay long, amidst public and political pressure and was ordered to leave Zimbabwe when it emerged that he did not have a work permit.

Saintfiet left for Botswana but returned to Namibia after no progress on his work permit was made.

Red-faced ZIFA bosses are expected to appeal the decision or face the prospect of paying thousands of dollars - the cost of signing a contract.