Two candidates from the 25 January 2025 ZIFA presidency elections have challenged the outcome at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
Nqobile Magwizi was declared the winner with 61 votes out of 76 ballots. However, Twine Phiri and Philemon Machana claim that third-party influence affected the election, swaying the result in Magwizi’s favor.
Phiri and Machana, represented by Method Ndlovu of Ncube Partners law firm, allege that businessman Wicknell Chivayo promised to buy Magwizi a new Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 edition if he won and also offered US$10 million in funding to ZIFA, contingent on Magwizi’s leadership.
They also claim Chivayo promised to buy a brand new vehicle for each voting councillor if Magwizi won.
The candidates also allege that government minister Tino Machakaire influenced the vote by publicly endorsing Magwizi.
Phiri, the former Premier Soccer League chairman, and Machana, a former ZIFA board member, want the election results nullified and a new election organized.
They are seeking a declaration that third-party influence rendered the election illegitimate.
Machana and Phiri are also calling for a fresh election, with the councillors who voted in the previous election to be barred from voting, as they believe their votes are tainted.
They further request that Magwizi be prohibited from standing as a candidate in the new election.
One of their key arguments is that a councillor was caught attempting to take a picture of their completed ballot to prove to their paymasters that they had followed instructions. They said:
<blockquote>
No wonder why one voting delegate was caught taking a photo of his cast ballot while in the voting booth. This was meant to show his handlers how he had voted.
The probabilities are that he and his fellow voting delegates were under pressure to show third parties how they had voted.
That means they did not exercise their right to vote freely. In other words, they did not vote according to their conscience.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Two people are upset because they think the winner of the ZIFA presidency election cheated. They say a rich man promised the winner a new car and a lot of money for ZIFA. They also say a government minister told people to vote for the winner. They want a new election and they think the winner shouldn't be allowed to run again. They say some voters were forced to vote a certain way. They want the election results cancelled and a fair new election to happen.

Two ZIFA Candidates Challenge Magwizi Win, Take Dispute To Court Of Arbitration For Sport

The ZIFA elections, scheduled for January 25, 2025, have been thrown into uncertainty following an appeal lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by aspiring presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Benjani Mwaruwari and Gift Banda.
Mwaruwari, a former Zimbabwe Warriors captain and Manchester City striker appealed to CAS against his omission from the candidate list released by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee on December 23.
After requesting an explanation from ZIFA without success, he lodged his appeal with CAS under FIFA statutes, which allow appeals against decisions by member associations within 21 days.
Mwaruwari reportedly did not have the required five Ordinary Level passes and submitted his UEFA A coaching certificate as an equivalent qualification.
Banda, a Bulawayo-based businessman and former ZIFA acting president, was disqualified from running in the upcoming ZIFA election after failing the integrity test required for candidates.
CAS, in an emailed response to an enquiry by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/court-of-arbitration-for-sport-confirms-receipt-of-mwaruwari-banda-joint-appeal/">Zimpapers Sports Hub</a>, confirmed that the duo’s appeal has been registered under CAS 2024/A/11104. CAS said:
<blockquote>
On 31 December 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) registered the following appeal arbitration procedure: CAS 2024/A/11104 Benjani Mwaruwari &amp; Gift Banda v. ZIFA Normalisation Committee. The arbitration is at an early stage, and no further information is available at this time.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The ZIFA elections on January 25, 2025, are uncertain because Benjani Mwaruwari and Gift Banda are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Mwaruwari was left out of the candidate list and Banda failed the integrity test. Mwaruwari did not have the required qualifications and Banda did not pass the test. CAS confirmed receiving their appeal, but the process is still in the early stages. The ZIFA elections are now in disarray because of these appeals.

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