High-profile figures in Zimbabwean football suffered a significant setback on Monday as the ZIFA integrity test disqualified several prominent candidates vying for leadership positions.
Among those deemed ineligible were PHD Ministries leader Walter Magaya, outgoing Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere, former Warriors’ star Benjani Mwaruwari, and ex-Norton MP Temba Mliswa. The decision, announced by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, significantly reshaped the presidential race, leaving only six contenders.
The rigorous vetting process, overseen by a committee chaired by former Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, resulted in a final list of eligible candidates: Marshall Gore, Philemon Machana, Nqobile Magwizi, Martin Kweza, Twine Phiri, and Makwinje Phiri.
The committee’s statement, released on Monday, simply confirmed the eligible candidates, stating: “The ZIFA Normalisation Committee acting as the ZIFA Electoral Committee in accordance with Article 85(9) is pleased to announce the names of all the candidates who have met the eligibility criteria stipulated in the ZIFA Statutes, 2024.” No further explanation was provided.
The race had been marred by allegations of criminal misconduct. Formal complaints were filed against several candidates, including Martin Kweza, Walter Magaya, and Philemon Machana, citing ethical and criminal concerns. While Machana cleared the integrity test, Magaya, Mliswa, and Jere did not.
Specific allegations against Magaya included unresolved legal issues, such as a pending trial for tax violations under Zimbabwe’s Income Tax Act (January 2024) and a previous conviction for breaching the Medicines Control Act (2018). Although Magaya’s camp dismissed these allegations as a smear campaign, his past conviction and potential failure to meet the minimum educational requirements (five Ordinary Level passes) likely contributed to his disqualification.
Furthermore, sources revealed Magaya had invested substantial sums – tens of thousands of dollars – in his campaign, including offering incentives to councillors, only to see his efforts thwarted by the disqualification.
The reasons for Farai Jere’s disqualification remained undisclosed, although allegations of insufficient educational qualifications circulated. The Masunda committee did not publicly disclose specific details regarding any candidate’s disqualification.
Temba Mliswa’s candidacy was challenged by A. Kufa, who cited Mliswa’s 2010 assault conviction and history of alleged disruptive behaviour, arguing this violated Article 38.6 of the ZIFA Statutes, which bars candidates with criminal records. Kufa argued that Mliswa’s track record was incompatible with the integrity required to lead Zimbabwe’s football governing body.
Despite the disqualifications, several other candidates successfully passed the integrity test. The list of cleared candidates includes a number of Vice Presidential candidates: Mavis Gumbo, Patience Mutumwa, Winnet Murota, Joyce R Kapota, Loveness Mukura, Kennedy Ndebele, Omega Sibanda, Peter Dube, Francis Nyamutsamba, and Simbarashe J Takava. A lengthy list of candidates for Ordinary Member positions was also released. The ZIFA presidential race now continues with a significantly altered landscape.
