Veteran rugby referee Christopher Mwamba has quit Zambian rugby, citing toxic relations and gross insubordination in the Zambia Rugby Referees Society (ZRRS).
Mwamba, who has served the game for over 45 years, has resigned with immediate effect as Interim Vice Chairperson of the ZRRS Interim Committee and retired from all rugby activities in Zambia.
In his resignation letter to Zambia Rugby Union – ZRU – President Chileshe Bweupe, Mwamba said rugby refereeing in the country has become unbearable in the last seven months.
“This has been arrived at because relations in our rugby circles especially in the Zambia Rugby Referees Society have become toxic in the last seven months. In over 45 years involvement in the game of rugby in Zambia, it has never been this terrible and I cannot take it any further,” Mwamba said.
He accused some senior members of the Society of taking issues personally and turning the body into a personal to holder, while junior members have been duped into disrespecting senior officials and disregarding ZRU Game Regulations.
“Some junior members have been duped to behave in a manner where they have no respect for senior members like me – a lot of insubordination and no respect for ZRU Game Regulations,” he said.
Mwamba, a World Rugby accredited Match Official Educator, Citing Commissioner and Level 1 Coach of Match Officials, warned that if the situation remains unchecked, Zambia risks disaster in the development of match officials for Rugby Africa sanctioned competitions.
He said he will also formally inform World Rugby Regional Manager for Rugby Africa English, Mr. Denver Warnes, about his decision.
Mwamba has thanked the ZRU Executive Committee for the opportunity to serve on the interim committee.
The Zambia Rugby Union is yet to comment on this matter.
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