Magaya Zifa candidature under scrutiny

THE battle to lead Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has taken a new twist as the candidatures of three aspirants for the top post including PHD founder Walter Magaya are being contested due to pending criminal charges.

 

At least nine candidates have formally expressed interest to run for the Zifa presidency in the election scheduled for January 25.

 

The vetting process, to be conducted by the Zifa’s Ethics and Integrity Committee, will determine the eligibility of

 

the aspiring candidates, and the results will be announced on December 23.

 

Among the candidates are UK-based Marshall Gore, Walter Magaya, Philemon Machana, Twine Phiri, Farai Jere, Martin Kweza, Temba Mliswa and Nqobile Magwizi.

 

However, Zifa has received objections to the nomination of Magaya, Kweza, who is the Northern Region Soccer League chairperson, and ex-Zifa board member Machana.

 

Zifa chief executive, Yvonne Mapika Manwa, yesterday confirmed that the association had received the objections.

 

“We received the letter but l cannot comment on the matter,” she said.

 

The letters were addressed to the Ethics and Integrity Committee.

 

A letter dated December 6 addressed to the committee, written by one M J Chigwedere said Magaya was unsuitable to hold the office of the Zifa presidency given his pending criminal charges.

 

Magaya is facing charges under section 81 of the Income Tax Act for alleged tax violations and proceedings are set to resume next year.

 

“On October 9, 2024, Honourable Justice Mafusire of the High Court ordered the sale of Mr Magaya’s immovable property housing his stadium to settle a debt of US$420 140,72,” he said.

 

“This ruling underscores his financial instability and inability to fulfil obligations, further casting doubt on his capacity to manage Zifa’s affairs responsibly.

 

“On August 6, 2024, Fifa Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Yadah Football Club, owned and chaired by Mr Magaya, with a ban on registering international players due to violations of Fifa club licensing rules.

 

“While Yadah FC is a separate legal entity, case law establishes that owners and chairpersons bear ultimate responsibility for the governance and conduct of the organisations they lead.”

 

He added: “I strongly believe that ethical accountability extends to club leadership. In a 2018 Fifa Ethics Committee Ruling, Samson Siasia, was personally held liable for ethical breaches related to his role in club operations.

 

“Given Mr Magaya’s direct ownership and leadership role in Yadah FC, he cannot be absolved of responsibility for this sanction, which I think reflects poorly on his ethical and governance standards.

 

Magaya was unavailable for comment. Calls to his spokesperson Admire Mango went unanswered.

 

In another letter, Terrence Pachirere challenged Kweza’s candidacy citing the January 2024 case where the aspiring candidate was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) for alleged criminal abuse of office.

 

The letter of objection was submitted to Zifa on December 16, with the letter copied to the Sport and Recreation Commission.

 

“I am writing to formally object to the candidature of Martin Kweza for the position of Zifa president, based on serious ethical and legal concerns below that I believe render him unsuitable for such a prominent role,” Pachirere said.

 

“A report of work-related criminal abuse of office was lodged against Martin Kweza at Zacc under reference HRC82/01/24.”

 

Kweza was not picking calls by the time of going to print.

 

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority, which was said to be the complainant, said it had not reported a case against Kweza.

 

“The CEO did not report any case against Mr Kweza neither is he aware of any such reports from him or Zinwa,” spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga told NewsDay.

 

One K Mugadzaweta accused Machana of failing to disclose his financial interest in Conduit Investments’ alleged misappropriation of COVID-19 funds and suspected fraud and corruption.

 

“The findings in the audit report raise serious concerns about the abuse of entrusted resources, potential fraud and gross misconduct. As Zifa manages significant public and international funding, these allegations undermine the integrity of football administration and erode public trust in the governance of the sport,” he said.

 

“I respectfully urge the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to institute a thorough investigation into the financial transactions and practices outlined in the BDO forensic audit report and hold Mr Philemon Machana accountable for any criminal conduct identified during the investigations.”

 

Machana said the allegations were a smear campaign tainted with lies. He said the burden of proof lied with those that were making the allegations.

 

“I am not perturbed or worried. My campaign is to reunite football. Football is not a war zone. It appears there is a crop of candidates that believe we are now enemies so that they go uncontested,” he said. Newsday