Sports
ZIFA Elections Trigger Controversy
The situation also highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in the ZIFA electoral process to ensure leaders of Zimbabwean football are chosen in a fair and legitimate manner, not dodgy and corruption process.
Signals A Dodgy Corrupt Process
Drama is snowballing in the run-up to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections next year to chose a new president, deputies and committee members of the country’s soccer governing body as skeletons tumble out of the candidates’ closets.
After some controversy on whether candidates should have an “O” Level certificate, former Bulawayo deputy mayor and councillor Gift Banda (pictured), a vice presidential candidate for Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) leadership, has been arrested by police in Bulawayo for allegedly forging an “O” Level certificate.
This certificate was used to file his nomination papers, raising concerns about the legitimacy of his candidacy.
Banda is a candidate for vice president together with many others.
ZIFA is notorious for being a corrupt and incompetent organisation, which has destroyed football in the country, which is emblematic of most public institutions in Zimbabwe.
A number of candidates are vying for the two vice president posts, with one reserved for a woman.
Contenders Omega Sibanda, Peter Dube, Kennedy Ndebele and Banda.
Nyasha Kadenge, Mavis Gumbo, Loveness Mukura,Joyce Kapota, Patience Mutumwa and Winnet Muropa also reportedly intend to contest for the post.
Women who are vying for ZIFA board membership include Miriam Sibanda, Beaular Masara, and Christine Ndou.
ZIFA councillors will elect a president, two deputies (one a woman), and six additional board members.
The Premier Soccer League chair and the women’s football leader will also join the board.For president, the candidates include Temba Mliswa, Farai Jere, Marshall Gore, Walter Magaya, Philemon Machana, Twine Phiri, Martin Kweza, Gilbert Muponda, and Nqobile Magwizi.
Football legend Peter Ndlovu seems to have avoided the race.
Those are vying for six board members positions are Thomas Marambanyika, Francis Zimunya, Xolisani Gwesela, Shariff Mussa, Sweeney Mushonga, Andrew Tapela, Kudzai Kadzombe, Gaza Dube, Admore Chivero and Desmond Ali.
Others are Tizirayi Luphahla, Tavengwa Hara, Nicholas Munyonga, Tinashe Malunga, Davison Muchena, Masimba Chihowa, Cuthbert Chitima, Isaiah Mupfurutsa, Simba Ndoro, Alois Bunjira, and Derrick Matapura.
Nominations opened on 22 November and close on 11 December before vetting gets underway.
The vetting process will be conducted by the ZIFA normalisation committee and will determine candidate eligibility to stand.
Results will be announced on 23 December.
And then elections will take place on 25 January 2025.
Banda’s arrest is the latest development in a series of controversies surrounding the ZIFA elections.
Magaya, another influential figure in Zimbabwean football, has also been implicated in allegations of manipulation and corruption.
Allegations against Banda and Magaya have raised questions about the integrity of the ZIFA electoral process.
The use of forged documents and alleged manipulation of the electoral process undermine the credibility of the elections and legitimacy of potential winners.
The situation also highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in the ZIFA electoral process to ensure leaders of Zimbabwean football are chosen in a fair and legitimate manner, not dodgy and corruption process.The situation also highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in the ZIFA electoral process to ensure leaders of Zimbabwean football are chosen in a fair and legitimate manner, not dodgy and corruption process.
