Walter Magaya, a presidential aspirant for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), along with Gift Banda, a former ZIFA vice president, are accused of attempting to manipulate their way into top positions within the organisation.
According to a report by Nehanda Radio, the pair allegedly organised a secret meeting on October 10, 2024, at Number 10 Park Road in Suburbs, Bulawayo, with ZIFA councillors from the Southern Region.
During this meeting, they purportedly campaigned for the councillors to amend the constitution to eliminate the requirement of five O-levels, a qualification that Magaya reportedly does not possess.
A source close to the development told Nehanda Radio that Magaya and Banda, “asked the councillors to amend the constitution on Friday and refuse the Clause which demands 5 O levels and other clauses which can be detrimental in the quest to land the highest positions in ZIFA elections scheduled for next year January. Magaya wants to be President and Gift Banda wants the position of Vice President.”
The meeting was allegedly attended by Magaya (aspiring ZIFA president), his Manager Wellington Mpandare, Gift Banda (aspiring ZIFA vice president), Eddi Ndodana Masuku (Chairman Area Zone South Region) and Francis Ntutha (Bulawayo Provincial Chairman).
Clevios Ncube (Matabeleland North Provincial Chairman), Nkosilathi Ncube (Matabeleland South Provincial Chairman), Pervious Mathe Midlands Provincial Chairman from Gweru also attended the meeting.
Others are Loyd Munhanga (Southern Region Chairman), Tafadzwa Mutowa (Board Member Southern Region), Blessed Mbwanda (Board Member Southern Region), Tizirayi Luphahla (Board Member Finance Southern Region), Kenneth Mhlophe Highlanders Chairman (aspiring PSL Chairman), Morgen Gazza Dube Highlanders Secretary (aspiring ZIFA Board Member) and Tavengwa Hara Chicken Inn Secretary General (aspiring ZIFA Board Member).
Bulawayo Chiefs and Arenel Movers FC were also represented. Eddie Chivero Chegutu Pirates Chairman (aspiring ZIFA Board Member)
Beach Soccer Zimbabwe Chairman Mike Mandaza was present. Sibekiwe Ndlovu represented women’s football.
Magaya claims to be a prophet and is the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, a church with significant membership in Harare.
He has faced previous allegations of rape and fraud, while Banda has faced allegations in the past involving match-fixing and has been sacked from ZIFA twice before.
The proposed amendment to the ZIFA Statutes requires the association’s president and two vice presidents to have at least five O-levels.
Critics aligned with Magaya and Banda argue this amendment may violate Article 4 of the ZIFA Statutes, which addresses non-discrimination and equality.
A meeting is scheduled for October 18 in Harare, where ZIFA Councillors will discuss the proposed amendments and establish statutes for the ZIFA executive committee elections.
The draft ZIFA Statutes highlight the importance of integrity checks and educational qualifications for executive committee members. Part of the draft ZIFA Statutes reads:
The president, the vice-president and the other members of the executive committee shall be elected by the Congress in accordance with Art. 31 of these Statutes.
They shall undergo an integrity check, to be conducted by the Ethics Committee, prior to their election or re-election
The president and the two vice presidents of the executive committee shall have passed a minimum of five O-Levels subjects or any equivalent educational level.
More: Pindula News