Prophet Magaya seek to stop 'fraudulent' Zifa elections

Yadah Stars Football Club president, Prophet Walter Magaya, has approached the High Court in a bid to halt the January 25 ZIFA elections. The urgent application will be heard this morning at 9 a.m. in Justice Tawanda Chitapi's chambers.

Magaya is one of five ZIFA presidential aspirants disqualified by the Electoral Committee after failing the association's ethics and integrity test. The disqualifications, announced on December 23, also affected CAPS United president Farai Jere, former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari, ex-ZIFA vice president Gift Banda, and former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa.

While Jere accepted his disqualification, Magaya, Mwaruwari, Banda, and Mliswa have all challenged the rulings through various legal avenues. Magaya has also lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, in addition to his High Court application.

The notice for today's hearing indicates that Magaya, represented by lawyer Everson Chatambudza of Chatambudza and Rubaya Legal Practitioners, seeks an interdict against the elections. ZIFA Electoral Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa, along with the Normalisation Committee and other members, have been cited as respondents.

Mutasa's committees, established by FIFA to oversee Zimbabwean football reforms since July 2023, have received the High Court notice and engaged external counsel. "ZIFA has responded with utmost urgency," the Electoral Committee said in a statement. "The main issue at law is that this case is already before another competent court, CAS, which should be allowed to make a determination first."

Justice Chitapi, who has previously handled ZIFA-related cases, is expected to weigh the arguments from both sides. The hearing has attracted interest from various stakeholders, including FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), as well as ZIFA's electoral college and the over 50 candidates vying for leadership positions.

The Electoral Committee has clarified that all affiliate members will retain their voting rights on January 25, regardless of outstanding affiliation fees. "There is no nexus between affiliation fees and this election," the committee stated, dismissing rumors suggesting otherwise.

Observers have noted that these court challenges will test the robustness of the ZIFA constitution and the association's ability to navigate its reform process. Former ZIFA councillors, speaking anonymously, expressed mixed views on the legal battles, highlighting their potential to affect perceptions of the candidates and the association's governance.

The January 25 elections are seen as pivotal in determining the future of Zimbabwean football, with FIFA closely monitoring developments to ensure adherence to global standards and fair play in the administration of the sport.