Aguma haunts Magaya

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

The upcoming ZIFA presidential elections, scheduled for January 2025, have come under intense scrutiny due to serious allegations against three candidates: Walter Magaya, Martin Kweza, and Philemon Machana.

Accusations of criminal misconduct and financial impropriety, documented by concerned stakeholders, raise significant doubts about the suitability of these individuals to lead Zimbabwean football’s governing body.

The ZIFA Constitution mandates that presidential candidates must have no criminal convictions and must possess a reputation for integrity and ethical conduct.

These requirements are designed to uphold the integrity of football governance in Zimbabwe. However, the allegations against Magaya, Kweza, and Machana suggest a failure to meet these crucial standards.

Walter Magaya faces a series of legal and financial challenges that cast doubt on his candidacy. His conviction under the Medicines Control Act for advertising a fraudulent HIV/AIDS cure endangered public health and earned him a fine.

Additionally, he faces pending tax evasion charges under Section 81 of the Income Tax Act, a matter currently before the Rotten Row Magistrates Court.

Further complicating his position, the High Court recently ordered the sale of his property to settle debts exceeding $420,000, raising questions about his financial management capabilities.

As the chairperson of Yadah FC, Magaya has also been implicated in FIFA sanctions against the club for licensing violations, reflecting poorly on his governance standards.

Unspoken, but loud because of that silence, is the question of Magaya's unresolved case which saw him get a court order to stop the Zimbabwe Gender Commission from investigating sexual harassment and exploitation allegations against him.

The court order was later rescinded after which ZGC issued a fresh call for witnesses and complainants to come forward. The matter has not yet been concluded as ZGC is yet to issue a statement on its findings.

Martin Kweza has been accused of workplace misconduct and fraud, with ongoing investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

A report filed in January 2024 accused him of criminal abuse of office, while a second report in July 2024 implicated him in fraudulent activities involving the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.

These unresolved allegations have led stakeholders to question his ethical fitness for the presidency, urging ZIFA to prioritize the integrity of the sport over his ambitions.

Philemon Machana’s candidacy is similarly marred by findings from a forensic audit conducted by BDO, which revealed financial mismanagement under his oversight.

He is accused of diverting over $740,000 from a FIFA grant into a company where he holds financial interests, with additional undocumented payments suggesting possible fraud.

Mismanagement of FIFA-provided COVID-19 relief funds and failure to disclose his financial interests further undermine his credibility.

The allegations against these candidates go beyond individual misconduct, posing a broader challenge to the integrity of Zimbabwean football governance.

The ZIFA Ethics and Integrity Committee now faces the critical task of ensuring that individuals with questionable records are disqualified from leadership.

Failure to act decisively risks damaging ZIFA’s reputation and perpetuating the corruption and mismanagement that have long plagued the sport.

The committee must uphold principles of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership to restore trust and credibility in Zimbabwean football.