News / National
Gift Banda granted US$500 bail
06 Dec 2024 at 16:01hrs | Views
Former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) vice-president and interim president, Gift Banda, appeared at the Western Commonage Court in Bulawayo today facing allegations of forging an Ordinary Level certificate.
The 54-year-old former Bulawayo deputy mayor and councillor was arrested and detained overnight at Western Commonage Police Station as part of an ongoing investigation into his eligibility to contest in the ZIFA elections scheduled for early 2025.
Allegations and Discrepancies
Banda is accused of presenting a Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) O-Level certificate purportedly earned in 1986 at Mpopoma High School. However, at that time, the school only offered Cambridge examinations. ZIMSEC was established a decade later, in 1996, casting doubt on the authenticity of the document.
Candidates for the ZIFA elections must prove they hold at least five O-Level passes, and these allegations threaten Banda's candidacy.
Court Proceedings
Arriving in court in leg irons, Banda drew the attention of Magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze, who objected to the gesture, stating that leg irons are reserved for individuals facing serious allegations. "Cuffing an accused person with leg irons for such charges is excessive," she said.
Banda's defense counsel argued that the charges were baseless, with no evidence directly linking their client to the alleged forgery. The state did not oppose bail, and Banda was subsequently granted bail of US$500.
Election Implications
Banda has announced his intention to contest for a leadership position in ZIFA's upcoming elections. However, the forgery allegations could jeopardize his bid if proven true, raising broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the soccer governing body.
Banda's case is set to continue as legal proceedings unfold. Meanwhile, ZIFA's normalization committee will oversee the vetting of all candidates, ensuring adherence to the election requirements ahead of the January 2025 polls.
This development has added another layer of drama to the already contentious ZIFA elections, where questions of integrity and compliance are increasingly in the spotlight.
The 54-year-old former Bulawayo deputy mayor and councillor was arrested and detained overnight at Western Commonage Police Station as part of an ongoing investigation into his eligibility to contest in the ZIFA elections scheduled for early 2025.
Allegations and Discrepancies
Banda is accused of presenting a Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) O-Level certificate purportedly earned in 1986 at Mpopoma High School. However, at that time, the school only offered Cambridge examinations. ZIMSEC was established a decade later, in 1996, casting doubt on the authenticity of the document.
Candidates for the ZIFA elections must prove they hold at least five O-Level passes, and these allegations threaten Banda's candidacy.
Court Proceedings
Arriving in court in leg irons, Banda drew the attention of Magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze, who objected to the gesture, stating that leg irons are reserved for individuals facing serious allegations. "Cuffing an accused person with leg irons for such charges is excessive," she said.
Banda's defense counsel argued that the charges were baseless, with no evidence directly linking their client to the alleged forgery. The state did not oppose bail, and Banda was subsequently granted bail of US$500.
Election Implications
Banda has announced his intention to contest for a leadership position in ZIFA's upcoming elections. However, the forgery allegations could jeopardize his bid if proven true, raising broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the soccer governing body.
Banda's case is set to continue as legal proceedings unfold. Meanwhile, ZIFA's normalization committee will oversee the vetting of all candidates, ensuring adherence to the election requirements ahead of the January 2025 polls.
This development has added another layer of drama to the already contentious ZIFA elections, where questions of integrity and compliance are increasingly in the spotlight.
Source - online
