News / National
Prophet Magaya implicated in Gift Banda forgery?
06 Dec 2024 at 14:08hrs | Views
Gift Banda, a well-known businessman based in Bulawayo, has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for allegedly forging O-level certificates that he submitted for his nomination in the upcoming Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections. Banda, who is vying for the Vice President post in the January 25, 2025 elections, faces serious charges of fraud.
Law enforcement sources suggest that Prophet Walter Magaya, a candidate for the ZIFA presidency, allegedly collaborated with Zikhali in the forgery. Magaya is said to have paid Zikhali a total of US$1500 in three instalments of US$500 each for his role in creating the fake certificates.
Reports indicate that Banda's O-level certificate shows that he sat for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) exams at Mpopoma High School, Bulawayo in 1986. However, ZIMSEC was only established in 1996, and prior to that, Zimbabwean schools were offering Cambridge exams. The forged document raised suspicions, leading to investigations by law enforcement authorities.
Banda, who has a controversial history in Zimbabwean football, is one of the aspirants for the position of Vice President in the upcoming ZIFA elections. Under the newly adopted ZIFA constitution, candidates for the president and his two vice presidents must have at least five O-level subjects, a requirement that appears to have prompted Banda's alleged forgery.
Further investigations have revealed that Banda was not acting alone in this fraudulent scheme. Anele Zikhali, Banda's accomplice who forged the certificates, has also been arrested and is currently detained at the West Commonage Police Station in Bulawayo.
Banda, a former acting ZIFA president during Zimbabwe's FIFA ban, is no stranger to controversy. He also served as Vice President under the leadership of Felton Kamambo before his suspension in 2019. His arrest has added further drama to the upcoming ZIFA elections, which are already under close scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and misconduct within the football governing body.
The police continue to investigate the matter, with Banda and his accomplices facing potential legal consequences. As the elections approach, it remains to be seen whether these revelations will impact Banda's aspirations for a position within ZIFA.
Law enforcement sources suggest that Prophet Walter Magaya, a candidate for the ZIFA presidency, allegedly collaborated with Zikhali in the forgery. Magaya is said to have paid Zikhali a total of US$1500 in three instalments of US$500 each for his role in creating the fake certificates.
Reports indicate that Banda's O-level certificate shows that he sat for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) exams at Mpopoma High School, Bulawayo in 1986. However, ZIMSEC was only established in 1996, and prior to that, Zimbabwean schools were offering Cambridge exams. The forged document raised suspicions, leading to investigations by law enforcement authorities.
Further investigations have revealed that Banda was not acting alone in this fraudulent scheme. Anele Zikhali, Banda's accomplice who forged the certificates, has also been arrested and is currently detained at the West Commonage Police Station in Bulawayo.
Banda, a former acting ZIFA president during Zimbabwe's FIFA ban, is no stranger to controversy. He also served as Vice President under the leadership of Felton Kamambo before his suspension in 2019. His arrest has added further drama to the upcoming ZIFA elections, which are already under close scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and misconduct within the football governing body.
The police continue to investigate the matter, with Banda and his accomplices facing potential legal consequences. As the elections approach, it remains to be seen whether these revelations will impact Banda's aspirations for a position within ZIFA.
Source - newzimbabwe
