Prophet Magaya accused of bribery to avoid ZIFA O level requirement – Nehanda Radio

HARARE – A potentially massive scandal is brewing in Zimbabwean football as Prophet Walter Magaya and Gift Banda, a former vice-president of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), are accused of trying to rig up occupy the first positions of the organization.

The duo allegedly organized a secret meeting at Number 10 Park Road, Suburbs, Bulawayo on Thursday 10 October 2024 with ZIFA councilors from the Southern Region where they campaigned and called for the councilors to amend the constitution to remove the requirement for five O-levels, a qualification that Magaya allegedly lacks.

A source close to the development told Nehanda Radio that Magaya and Banda, “asked councilors to amend the constitution on Friday and reject the clause requiring 5 O levels and other clauses that may be detrimental in the quest to achieve the higher positions of ZIFA. elections scheduled for January next year. Magaya wants to be president and Gift Banda wants the position of vice president.”

The meeting was attended by Magaya (ZIFA President Aspirant), his manager Wellington Mpandare, Gift Banda (ZIFA Vice President Aspirant), Eddi Ndodana Masuku (Regional Southern Zone President) and Francis Ntutha ( provincial president of Bulawayo).

Clevios Ncube (Matabeleland North Provincial Chairman), Nkosilathi Ncube (Matabeleland South Provincial Chairman), Pervious Mathe Midlands Gweru Provincial Chairman also attended the meeting.

Others are Loyd Munhanga (Chairman Southern Region), Tafadzwa Mutowa (Board Member Southern Region), Blessed Mbwanda (Board Member Southern Region), Tizirayi Luphahla (Finance Board Member Southern Region), Kenneth Mhlophe Highlanders President (aspirant PSL President), Morgen Gazza Dube Highlanders Secretary (aspirant ZIFA Board Member) and Tavengwa Hara Chicken Inn General Secretary (aspirant ZIFA Board Member).

Bulawayo Chiefs and Arenel Movers FC were also represented. Eddie Chivero Chegutu Pirates President (Aspiring ZIFA Board Member)

Beach Soccer Zimbabwe president Mike Mandaza was in attendance. Silebewe Ndlovu represented women’s football.

Magaya, founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, has faced previous allegations of rape and fraud. Banda has faced match-fixing allegations in the past and has been fired from ZIFA twice before.

The contentious amendment to ZIFA’s Articles of Association proposes that the association’s president and two vice-presidents must have at least five O-levels.

Critics aligned with Magaya and Banda argue that this amendment may already infringe Article 4 of the ZIFA Statutes, which deals with non-discrimination and equality.

A meeting is scheduled for October 18 in Harare where ZIFA councilors will discuss the proposed amendments and set the bylaws for ZIFA executive committee elections.

The draft ZIFA Statutes cited the importance of integrity checks and educational qualifications of executive committee members.

“The president, the vice president and the other members of the executive commission will be elected by Congress in accordance with art. 31 of these Statutes”, says part of the draft of the ZIFA Statutes.

“They will undergo an integrity check, by the Ethics Committee, before their election or re-election.

“The chairperson and two vice-chairpersons of the executive committee must have passed a minimum of five O-level subjects or any equivalent educational level.”

Magaya did not respond to questions sent to him via WhatsApp.