daniel chigunwe
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE ZIFA elections soap opera in which red flags are being flashed against some presidential aspirants yesterday sucked in the trio of Temba Mliswa, Nqobile Magwizi, and Twine Phiri.
The elections, which will mark the end of the Normalisation Committee era, have been characterised by a nasty fight ahead of the crucial announcement by the Ethics Committee of the aspirants who would have been deemed suitable to be the candidates in the race.
Former Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda’s committee will on December 23 announce who among the 10 presidential aspirants would have made the cut in terms of the ZIFA Electoral Code and the Code of Ethics that is also guided by the one from world soccer governing body FIFA. But before Masunda has made his announcement, concerned members of the public have inundated ZIFA and the Sports and Recreation Commission offices with questions over the eligibility of some candidates.
After queries were raised over the eligibility of Walter Magaya, Martin Kweza, and Philemon Machana on Tuesday, the trio of Magwizi, Phiri, and Mliswa was also red-flagged yesterday along with members of the previous ZIFA board, which was headed by Felton Kamambo.
According to one A Kufa, Mliswa should not be allowed to contest on the basis of his previous convictions for violence and disruptive conduct. Kufa contends that Mliswa’s behaviour could harm the image of ZIFA if he were to be allowed to lead the domestic football mother body.
“I must strongly object to the nomination of Temba Mliswa as a candidate for the ZIFA presidency. His prior criminal conviction and documented history of disorderly and disruptive behaviour render him unsuitable to serve in any capacity within an institution that must embody integrity, professionalism, and respect for governance,’’ Kufa wrote.
“Article 38.6 of the ZIFA Statutes clearly stipulates that: ‘All members of the Executive Committee shall not have been previously convicted and sentenced for any offence.
“Temba Mliswa was sentenced by Karoi Regional magistrate Elisha Singano in September 2010 for a violent assault on seven farm employees. “The court found that Mliswa used various weapons to inflict cuts on the survivors. He was ordered to pay fines of $50 per person assaulted, amounting to $350.
“This conviction is a direct violation of the ZIFA statutes. The provision of Article 38.6 is categorical, leaving no room for discretion or interpretation. “Beyond his criminal conviction, Mr Mliswa’s pattern of disorderly and riotous behaviour is well-documented and raises further concerns about his temperament and suitability for such leadership.
Mliswa has since indicated that he will engage his lawyers to deal with the raised objections, which he feels are not in sync with what the Ethics Committee will be considering before they make their determination.
The former Norton legislator, while acknowledging his court convictions, has been telling football stakeholders that he also wants the objections being raised against presidential candidates to be extended to all those aspiring for office at ZIFA. In Magwizi’s case, the objection by T Muzanenhamo is that the Harare businessman was placed on the United Nations sanctions list and should therefore be barred from leading ZIFA.
“I write to formally object to the nomination of Nqobile Magwizi for the position of ZIFA president. My objection is based on the US Department of the Treasury’s office on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13469.
“This designation presents significant legal, ethical, and operational challenges for ZIFA and the broader football fraternity, should Nqobile Magwizi be allowed to contest and potentially assume office,’’ said Muzanenhamo.
The Magwizi camp, however, argues that he was in March removed from the sanctions list via another US executive order. For ex-PSL chairman Phiri, F. Mharadze contends that the former CAPS United president also has previous court convictions centred on failure to pay child maintenance. “In 2017, Twine Phiri was convicted by Magistrate Joy Chikodzore in Chitungwiza and sentenced to four months imprisonment for failure to pay child maintenance. “Also in 2017, Twine Phiri was convicted by Magistrate Lazini Ncube in Harare and sentenced to 10 months in prison for failing to pay US$20 000 in alimony arrears.”
