News / National
Gift Banda in court for forging Ordinary Level certificate
06 Dec 2024 at 11:52hrs | Views
Former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) vice-president and interim president Gift Banda appeared at Western Commonage Court today to face allegations of forging an Ordinary Level certificate.
Banda, 54, a former Bulawayo councillor and deputy mayor, was detained overnight at Western Commonage Police Station as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case comes as Banda has expressed his intention to contest in the ZIFA elections scheduled for early next year. According to election requirements, candidates must provide proof of holding at least five Ordinary Level passes. Allegations suggest that Banda may not meet this criterion.
The charges stem from claims that Banda presented a Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) O-Level certificate purportedly obtained in 1986 at Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo. However, during that period, the school, like many others nationwide, exclusively offered Cambridge examinations. ZIMSEC was only established a decade later in 1996.
This discrepancy has raised questions about the authenticity of the certificate, prompting legal proceedings.
Banda, known for his significant contributions to Zimbabwean football, recently expressed a desire to lead ZIFA amid efforts to restore the organization's credibility and rebuild the sport in the country.
If found guilty of the charges, Banda could face disqualification from the ZIFA electoral process, potentially impacting the trajectory of football governance in Zimbabwe.
The case has garnered attention in both political and sporting circles, highlighting the scrutiny faced by public figures aspiring to leadership roles in national institutions.
Banda's legal representatives are expected to contest the allegations as the court proceedings unfold.
More to follow....
Banda, 54, a former Bulawayo councillor and deputy mayor, was detained overnight at Western Commonage Police Station as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case comes as Banda has expressed his intention to contest in the ZIFA elections scheduled for early next year. According to election requirements, candidates must provide proof of holding at least five Ordinary Level passes. Allegations suggest that Banda may not meet this criterion.
The charges stem from claims that Banda presented a Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) O-Level certificate purportedly obtained in 1986 at Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo. However, during that period, the school, like many others nationwide, exclusively offered Cambridge examinations. ZIMSEC was only established a decade later in 1996.
BREAKING: Bulawayo businessman Gift Banda has arrived at Western Commonage Court where he is expected to answer to charges of forgery. Banda is accused of conniving with one Anele Zikhali to forge an Ordinary Level certificate. #Asakhe pic.twitter.com/UEqrNJRvll
— CITE (@citezw) December 6, 2024
This discrepancy has raised questions about the authenticity of the certificate, prompting legal proceedings.
Banda, known for his significant contributions to Zimbabwean football, recently expressed a desire to lead ZIFA amid efforts to restore the organization's credibility and rebuild the sport in the country.
If found guilty of the charges, Banda could face disqualification from the ZIFA electoral process, potentially impacting the trajectory of football governance in Zimbabwe.
The case has garnered attention in both political and sporting circles, highlighting the scrutiny faced by public figures aspiring to leadership roles in national institutions.
Banda's legal representatives are expected to contest the allegations as the court proceedings unfold.
More to follow....
Source - bmetro
