Walter Magaya, a candidate for the presidency of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), and Gift Banda, a former ZIFA vice president, are facing accusations of trying to manipulate their way into top positions within the organization.
According to a report from Nehanda Radio, the two held a secret meeting on October 10, 2024, at Number 10 Park Road in Bulawayo with ZIFA councillors from the Southern Region. During this meeting, they allegedly urged the councillors to change the constitution to remove the requirement of having five O-levels, a qualification that Magaya reportedly does not have.
An insider told Nehanda Radio that Magaya and Banda asked the councillors to amend the constitution and eliminate the clause requiring five O-levels, as well as other rules that could hinder their chances of winning senior positions in the ZIFA elections scheduled for January next year. Magaya wants to become President, while Banda aims for the Vice Presidency.
The meeting reportedly included several key figures, such as Magaya (the aspiring ZIFA president), his manager Wellington Mpandare, Banda (the aspiring ZIFA vice president), and other regional chairpersons and board members from ZIFA.
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Magaya, who identifies as a prophet and leads the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, has previously faced allegations of rape and fraud. Banda has a history of accusations related to match-fixing and has been dismissed from ZIFA twice.
The proposed amendment to the ZIFA Statutes states that the president and two vice presidents must have at least five O-levels. Critics argue that this amendment could violate Article 4 of the ZIFA Statutes, which promotes non-discrimination and equality.
A meeting is scheduled for October 18 in Harare, where ZIFA Councillors will discuss the proposed changes and the statutes for the upcoming ZIFA executive committee elections. The draft ZIFA Statutes highlight the importance of integrity checks and educational qualifications for executive committee members. According to the draft, candidates must be elected by Congress and undergo an integrity check by the Ethics Committee. They must also have passed at least five O-Level subjects or an equivalent qualification. Magaya ZIFA Leadership
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