Temba Mliswa Withdraws High Court Case Against ZIFA, Concedes Defeat
Outspoken former Norton Member of Parliament (MP) Temba Mliswa has officially withdrawn his legal challenge against the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) regarding his disqualification from the upcoming presidential elections. This development marks the end of his bid to halt the much-anticipated elections scheduled for Saturday in Harare.
Mliswa had filed a case with the High Court, questioning the legitimacy of the election process and the validity of the new ZIFA statutes that were adopted to govern the elections. He argued that the amendments made to the ZIFA constitution in October were null and void, as the ZIFA Congress that approved them had exceeded its term of office during FIFA’s suspension of ZIFA from international football.
However, on Tuesday, Mliswa withdrew his case before High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi in Harare. In a candid admission, Mliswa conceded defeat in his effort to stop the electoral process.
Disqualification from the Race
Mliswa, a former fitness trainer for Zimbabwe’s senior national football team, was among several candidates disqualified from the presidential race after failing an integrity test conducted by the ZIFA Electoral Committee. Alongside him were Walter Magaya, Gift Banda, and former Warriors player Benjani Mwaruwari, all of whom were deemed ineligible to run for the top post.
Through his court application, Mliswa had sought to suspend the elections until his grievances were addressed. His withdrawal clears the path for the elections to proceed as planned.
Magaya’s Legal Challenge
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Walter Magaya, the leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, is also challenging his disqualification. Magaya’s legal bid to halt the elections is ongoing, with Justice Chitapi set to hear the case on Thursday. Magaya is contesting the ZIFA Electoral Committee’s decision, which he claims unjustly barred him from running for the presidency.
ZIFA Elections to Proceed
The ZIFA elections, slated for this Saturday at the Rainbow Towers in Harare, are set to usher in new leadership amid intense scrutiny and controversy. Several stakeholders have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.
Mliswa’s decision to withdraw his case signals an acknowledgment of the challenges within Zimbabwean football governance. Speaking on his experience, Mliswa reiterated the importance of stakeholders supporting a fair and inclusive process to strengthen the sport’s administration.
As ZIFA prepares for the elections, all eyes will be on the association’s next steps in resolving internal disputes and rebuilding its reputation following FIFA’s suspension.
The developments around ZIFA highlight the need for integrity and transparency in sports administration, with the hope that the new leadership will prioritize the growth and development of football in Zimbabwe.
