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Zifa completes vetting
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Zifa Normalisation Committee Set to Announce Executive Committee Candidates Amid Drama and Controversy
The Zifa Normalisation Committee is expected to announce today the list of candidates for the association's executive committee elections, which are set for January 25. This marks a historic moment in Zimbabwean football as the elections have drawn unprecedented interest, with over 50 candidates vying for the nine executive committee positions.
For the first time in Zifa's history, the elections have attracted such a high number of contenders. In addition to the nine executive committee slots, two more positions will be filled by representatives from Women's Football and the Premier Soccer League, making the total number of members on the executive committee, or Zifa board, 11.
At least 40 individuals have submitted their nominations to fill the six available board member positions. Among the high-profile names seeking to join the executive committee are former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga, former players like Harlington Shereni, Simba Ndoro, and Cuthbert Chitima, as well as football figures like Walter Musanhu, Francis Zimunya, and Morgen Dube.
The vice-president race is equally competitive, with candidates like Kenny Ndebele, Omega Sibanda, Gift Banda, Peter Dube, and James Takavada all submitting their papers.
A new addition to the elections, as per the Zifa constitution, is the women's vice-president position. The race for this slot features Joice Kapota, Patience Mutumwa, Loveness Mukura, Winnet Muropa, Mavis Gumbo, and Beaular Musara.
However, all eyes are on the presidential race, where a slew of notable figures are hoping to pass the eligibility test and stand for election. The list includes former Zifa board member Philemon Machana, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya, outgoing Premier Soccer League chairperson Farai Jere, Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League chairperson Martin Kweza, former Warriors stars Benjani Mwaruwari and Makwinji Soma Phiri, businessman Nqobile Magwizi, politician Temba Mliswa, and UK-based Marshall Gore.
Before being officially included in the final list, candidates must pass an eligibility test. This vetting process, which has been ongoing for weeks, will culminate in the announcement of the final list by Zifa Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa today.
The buildup to the announcement has not been without controversy. Last week, several individuals submitted letters to the Zifa Normalisation Committee and the Zifa Ethics and Integrity Committee, calling for the disqualification of certain candidates, including Phiri, Mliswa, Magaya, Kweza, Machana, and Magwizi.
The objections primarily relate to the candidates' experience in football administration. Zifa's rules stipulate that candidates must have at least five years of involvement in Zifa structures and possess a minimum of five O-Levels. It remains unclear whether the issues raised in the objection letters were factored into the vetting process.
Kweza, in particular, is facing significant challenges. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is investigating allegations of criminal abuse of office made against him. Terrence Pachirere filed reports with ZACC under references HRC82/01/24 and RRB31/07/24, which are still under investigation. Though the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) denied filing complaints against Kweza, ZACC confirmed that the cases are being reviewed.
Another factor that could affect candidates is the issue of criminal convictions, with the electoral committee tasked with determining whether any candidate with a criminal record can stand in the elections.
As the date for the elections draws near, all eyes will be on the Zifa Normalisation Committee's announcement, with many eager to see who will make it through the rigorous vetting process and become part of the new leadership of Zimbabwean football. The upcoming election has sparked intense interest, signaling a new chapter in the governance of the country's football association.
The Zifa Normalisation Committee is expected to announce today the list of candidates for the association's executive committee elections, which are set for January 25. This marks a historic moment in Zimbabwean football as the elections have drawn unprecedented interest, with over 50 candidates vying for the nine executive committee positions.
For the first time in Zifa's history, the elections have attracted such a high number of contenders. In addition to the nine executive committee slots, two more positions will be filled by representatives from Women's Football and the Premier Soccer League, making the total number of members on the executive committee, or Zifa board, 11.
At least 40 individuals have submitted their nominations to fill the six available board member positions. Among the high-profile names seeking to join the executive committee are former Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga, former players like Harlington Shereni, Simba Ndoro, and Cuthbert Chitima, as well as football figures like Walter Musanhu, Francis Zimunya, and Morgen Dube.
The vice-president race is equally competitive, with candidates like Kenny Ndebele, Omega Sibanda, Gift Banda, Peter Dube, and James Takavada all submitting their papers.
A new addition to the elections, as per the Zifa constitution, is the women's vice-president position. The race for this slot features Joice Kapota, Patience Mutumwa, Loveness Mukura, Winnet Muropa, Mavis Gumbo, and Beaular Musara.
However, all eyes are on the presidential race, where a slew of notable figures are hoping to pass the eligibility test and stand for election. The list includes former Zifa board member Philemon Machana, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya, outgoing Premier Soccer League chairperson Farai Jere, Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League chairperson Martin Kweza, former Warriors stars Benjani Mwaruwari and Makwinji Soma Phiri, businessman Nqobile Magwizi, politician Temba Mliswa, and UK-based Marshall Gore.
Before being officially included in the final list, candidates must pass an eligibility test. This vetting process, which has been ongoing for weeks, will culminate in the announcement of the final list by Zifa Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa today.
The buildup to the announcement has not been without controversy. Last week, several individuals submitted letters to the Zifa Normalisation Committee and the Zifa Ethics and Integrity Committee, calling for the disqualification of certain candidates, including Phiri, Mliswa, Magaya, Kweza, Machana, and Magwizi.
The objections primarily relate to the candidates' experience in football administration. Zifa's rules stipulate that candidates must have at least five years of involvement in Zifa structures and possess a minimum of five O-Levels. It remains unclear whether the issues raised in the objection letters were factored into the vetting process.
Kweza, in particular, is facing significant challenges. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is investigating allegations of criminal abuse of office made against him. Terrence Pachirere filed reports with ZACC under references HRC82/01/24 and RRB31/07/24, which are still under investigation. Though the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) denied filing complaints against Kweza, ZACC confirmed that the cases are being reviewed.
Another factor that could affect candidates is the issue of criminal convictions, with the electoral committee tasked with determining whether any candidate with a criminal record can stand in the elections.
As the date for the elections draws near, all eyes will be on the Zifa Normalisation Committee's announcement, with many eager to see who will make it through the rigorous vetting process and become part of the new leadership of Zimbabwean football. The upcoming election has sparked intense interest, signaling a new chapter in the governance of the country's football association.
Source - newsday
