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Magaya versus Zifa legal drama deferred
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Legal drama unfolded yesterday as lawyers for Prophet Walter Magaya, disqualified ZIFA presidential aspirant and Yadah Stars president, argued for his inclusion on the final list of candidates for the ZIFA presidency. The list is set to be published today, despite his ongoing High Court application challenging the decision to bar him from contesting.
Magaya's legal team, led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Tavonga Makamure, insisted that ZIFA must include their client's name on the list, pending a final determination by the courts. This comes as High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi deferred the hearing of Magaya's urgent application to Friday.
Magaya is contesting the ZIFA Ethics Committee's decision to exclude him and four other candidates, including former footballer Benjani Mwaruwari and Gift Banda, from the elections. The committee ruled that they failed the association's ethics and integrity tests.
The clergyman has taken his case to both the High Court of Zimbabwe and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, seeking redress.
Speaking after the High Court session, Makamure emphasized that the publication of the list must reflect Magaya's candidacy.
"Our understanding is that ZIFA must publish the list, including our client's name, even if marked as subject to legal proceedings. Legally, he is not yet disqualified," said Makamure.
ZIFA lawyer Chenaimoyo Gumiro confirmed the postponement of the urgent application to Friday, where the court will hear both the urgent and main applications for review.
Despite the legal uncertainties, ZIFA's Electoral Committee is proceeding with its election preparations. The final list of candidates for the January 25 elections will be published today, along with the convocation for the elective ordinary Congress, as mandated by ZIFA statutes.
According to ZIFA Normalisation Committee legal affairs member Nyasha Sanyamandwe, the process is in its final stages, with the confirmation of 78 voting delegates scheduled for tomorrow.
Six candidates remain in the race for the ZIFA presidency:
Martin Kweza – Veteran football administrator
Makwinji Soma-Phiri – Former footballer
Philemon Machana – Ex-ZIFA board member
Twine Phiri – Former Premier Soccer League chairman
Marshall Gore – Football administrator
Nqobile Magwizi – Businessman
In line with ZIFA's new constitution, the elections will also determine two vice presidents, with one position reserved for female candidates. Ten aspirants are vying for the roles, including Mavis Gumbo, Kennedy Ndebele, and Omega Sibanda.
The campaign trail has intensified as candidates pitch their manifestos and meet with councillors across the country. The new ZIFA executive committee, comprising 11 members, will lead Zimbabwean football's administrative future.
Awaiting Judicial Outcomes
Magaya's case, along with others at both local and international levels, has cast a shadow over the election process. With the clock ticking toward January 25, all eyes are on the High Court and CAS to see if the legal outcomes will alter the electoral landscape.
Magaya's legal team, led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Tavonga Makamure, insisted that ZIFA must include their client's name on the list, pending a final determination by the courts. This comes as High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi deferred the hearing of Magaya's urgent application to Friday.
Magaya is contesting the ZIFA Ethics Committee's decision to exclude him and four other candidates, including former footballer Benjani Mwaruwari and Gift Banda, from the elections. The committee ruled that they failed the association's ethics and integrity tests.
The clergyman has taken his case to both the High Court of Zimbabwe and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, seeking redress.
Speaking after the High Court session, Makamure emphasized that the publication of the list must reflect Magaya's candidacy.
"Our understanding is that ZIFA must publish the list, including our client's name, even if marked as subject to legal proceedings. Legally, he is not yet disqualified," said Makamure.
ZIFA lawyer Chenaimoyo Gumiro confirmed the postponement of the urgent application to Friday, where the court will hear both the urgent and main applications for review.
Despite the legal uncertainties, ZIFA's Electoral Committee is proceeding with its election preparations. The final list of candidates for the January 25 elections will be published today, along with the convocation for the elective ordinary Congress, as mandated by ZIFA statutes.
According to ZIFA Normalisation Committee legal affairs member Nyasha Sanyamandwe, the process is in its final stages, with the confirmation of 78 voting delegates scheduled for tomorrow.
Six candidates remain in the race for the ZIFA presidency:
Martin Kweza – Veteran football administrator
Makwinji Soma-Phiri – Former footballer
Philemon Machana – Ex-ZIFA board member
Twine Phiri – Former Premier Soccer League chairman
Marshall Gore – Football administrator
Nqobile Magwizi – Businessman
In line with ZIFA's new constitution, the elections will also determine two vice presidents, with one position reserved for female candidates. Ten aspirants are vying for the roles, including Mavis Gumbo, Kennedy Ndebele, and Omega Sibanda.
The campaign trail has intensified as candidates pitch their manifestos and meet with councillors across the country. The new ZIFA executive committee, comprising 11 members, will lead Zimbabwean football's administrative future.
Awaiting Judicial Outcomes
Magaya's case, along with others at both local and international levels, has cast a shadow over the election process. With the clock ticking toward January 25, all eyes are on the High Court and CAS to see if the legal outcomes will alter the electoral landscape.
Source - the herald
