A potentially explosive scandal is unfolding in Zimbabwean football, with allegations against Prophet Walter Magaya and former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) vice president Gift Banda regarding attempts to secure influential positions within the organization. The duo is accused of orchestrating a clandestine meeting on October 10, 2024, at Number 10 Park Road in Bulawayo, where they allegedly sought to persuade ZIFA councilors from the Southern Region to amend the association’s constitution.
The controversial proposal aims to eliminate the requirement for executive committee members to possess at least five O-level qualifications—an academic standard that Magaya reportedly does not meet. Critics argue that this move could violate Article 4 of the ZIFA Statutes, which emphasizes non-discrimination and equality.
Magaya, who is the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, has previously faced allegations of rape and fraud, while Banda has been implicated in match-fixing scandals and has been dismissed from ZIFA twice.
The meeting reportedly focused on persuading councilors to reject the educational qualifications clause and other stipulations seen as obstacles to their ambitions for the upcoming ZIFA elections scheduled for January 2025. Sources indicate that Magaya aims to become the president of ZIFA, while Banda is eyeing the vice-presidential position.
The draft ZIFA Statutes highlight the necessity for integrity checks and educational qualifications for executive committee members, stipulating that the president and vice presidents must have passed a minimum of five O-level subjects or possess equivalent qualifications.
The scheduled meeting on October 18 in Harare will allow ZIFA councilors to discuss proposed amendments and lay the groundwork for the executive committee elections.
Among those present at the controversial meeting were key figures from various football regions, including Magaya’s manager Wellington Mpandare, Eddi Ndodana Masuku (Chairman Area Zone South Region), and representatives from Bulawayo Chiefs and Arenel Movers FC, among others.
As this situation develops, the implications for Zimbabwean football could be significant, raising concerns about governance, integrity, and the influence of powerful individuals within the sport. Magaya has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the allegations. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of this brewing scandal and its impact on the future of ZIFA.
In other news -Zimbabwean woman receives 4-year sentence for illegal elephant tusk possession
A Zimbabwean woman, Nokuthula Sithembile Khumalo, has been sentenced to four years in prison and fined P20,000 for the illegal possession of an elephant tusk in Botswana. The 37-year-old resident of Plumtree, Matabeleland South, was apprehended on June 29 at Nswazwi Mall, where she was found with the tusk hidden in a bag.
Khumalo was accompanied by her nephew, Gilbert Tasiiwa, during the incident. Tasiiwa was also arrested but later released after it was established that he did not know the tusk; Read More
