Doubts Surround ZIFA Executive Committee Elections Amid Disqualifications

The much-anticipated Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Executive Committee elections scheduled for January 25 in Harare have been clouded by uncertainty. Disqualified candidates have taken legal action to delay or halt the process, citing unresolved grievances.

Reports suggest that former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari and current ZIFA Vice President Gift Banda have approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to postpone the elections until their cases are resolved. This legal move comes amid rising tensions surrounding the disqualification of several presidential aspirants.

Among the disqualified candidates are Prophet Walter Magaya and politician Temba Mliswa. Both have challenged their exclusion in Zimbabwe’s High Court, further casting doubt on whether the elections will proceed as planned.

Legal Battles Escalate

Magaya’s case, described as urgent, will be heard on Friday, just days before the election. He is contesting a ZIFA constitutional amendment that requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to hold at least five O-Level qualifications. Magaya failed to meet this criterion and was also flagged for his 2019 conviction in the Aguma scandal, where he falsely claimed to have discovered a herbal cure for HIV and AIDS.

Similarly, Mliswa’s case was deferred to Thursday. He argues that the ZIFA Congress’ mandate expired in 2022 during Zimbabwe’s FIFA suspension, making the current Congress illegitimate. Mliswa believes the electoral process should start from the grassroots level rather than the top.

Growing Controversy

The disqualifications and ongoing legal challenges have drawn criticism from various quarters, with some accusing ZIFA of creating an exclusionary process. The controversies have also sparked debates about the association’s governance and the fairness of the new eligibility criteria.

Despite the looming uncertainty, some candidates remain focused on their campaigns. Prominent aspirants like Twine Phiri and Leslie Magwizi have outlined their visions for transforming Zimbabwean football, but their efforts risk being overshadowed by the ongoing legal wrangling.

Will the Elections Proceed?

With just over a week remaining, the fate of the January 25 elections hangs in the balance. If the courts rule in favor of the disqualified candidates, ZIFA may be forced to delay the elections, further complicating an already contentious process.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether the elections can proceed as scheduled or if Zimbabwean football will face yet another period of administrative uncertainty.