The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections will take place this Saturday as planned, following the High Court’s dismissal of Walter Magaya’s attempt to halt the process.
Prophet Magaya, who was disqualified from the ZIFA presidential race, sought to overturn his disqualification but failed to provide sufficient evidence to meet the election criteria. Justice Tawanda Chitapi, presiding over the case, ruled that Magaya did not produce proof of meeting the minimum requirement of five Ordinary Level passes.
“A requirement to have five O’ Levels must be met. If one relies on a diploma, they are still required to produce an O’ Level certificate, even if holding a PhD,” Justice Chitapi stated.
He further noted that Magaya had been vague about his qualifications, failing to present an O’ Level certificate that could have resolved the issue.This ruling effectively clears any legal obstacles to the elections.
A similar case involving another disqualified aspirant, Temba Mliswa, was recently withdrawn, while appeals by Benjamin Mwaruwari and Gift Banda are still pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Six candidates remain in the race for the ZIFA presidency: businessman Nqobile Magwizi, former PSL chairperson Twine Phiri, UK-based football administrator Marshall Gore, former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana, Northern Region Division One Chairperson Martin Kweza, and former Dynamos forward Makwinjei “Soma” Phiri.
With these developments, the stage is set for a competitive election as ZIFA seeks to chart its future under new leadership.
