Prophet Walter Magaya Turns to Courts to Halt ZIFA Elections

Yadah Stars FC president, Prophet Walter Magaya, has taken legal action to stop the upcoming ZIFA elections.

The case will be heard at 9am today in the chambers of High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi.

Magaya was among five candidates disqualified by ZIFA’s Electoral Committee for failing the ethics and integrity test.

ZIFA announced the disqualifications on December 23, alongside naming six candidates who passed the test.

Other disqualified candidates include CAPS United’s Farai Jere, Benjani Mwaruwari, Gift Banda, and Temba Mliswa.

Jere accepted his disqualification, but the others, including Magaya, have pursued legal remedies.

Magaya has not only approached the High Court but also appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Mwaruwari and Banda have a joint appeal at CAS, focusing on overturning the Electoral Committee’s decisions.

Mliswa’s legal challenge is lodged in Bulawayo’s High Court, adding to the election controversy.

Magaya, through his lawyer Everson Chatambudza, seeks an interdict to halt the January 25 elections.

The notice for the urgent application was set for this morning, demanding immediate judicial attention.

The application was filed just days ago, showcasing the urgency of the matter.

Lincoln Mutasa, chair of both the Electoral and Normalisation Committees, is named as the first respondent.

Rosemary Mugadza and Nyasha Sanyamandwe are also involved, being part of both committees under Mutasa.

The Normalisation Committee, appointed by FIFA, has been managing ZIFA’s transitional phase since July 2023.

For the elections, this committee also serves as the Electoral Committee, complicating the legal scenario.

ZIFA’s Electoral Committee has confirmed receiving Magaya’s High Court notice and responded through legal counsel.

They argued that the case is already before CAS, which should first conclude its proceedings.

Justice Chitapi, familiar with ZIFA issues from his 2016 role in the Appeals Committee, will preside.

The details of Magaya’s application and Mutasa’s defense are not yet public, heightening the intrigue.

The case has attracted attention from FIFA, CAF, and COSAFA, indicating its international implications.

ZIFA’s Congress councillors, the electoral college, are watching closely as their voting rights are at stake.

Candidates for president, vice president, and board members are also directly impacted by today’s hearing.

This legal battle tests the robustness of ZIFA’s constitution and its governance framework.

The Electoral Committee has also clarified that affiliation fees will not affect voting rights in the election.

This clarification aims to quash rumors affecting campaign strategies among candidates and councillors.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of Zimbabwean football hangs in balance.