Kweza in Vote-buying storm

Kweza in Zifa vote-buying storm

Runodada Witness

Zim Now ReporterMartin Kweza, one of the six people vying for the Zifa presidency, stands accused of trying to bribe councillors to vote for him.

Kweza has invited all Zifa councillors, who will cast ballots for the next executive of the national football governing body’s executive, to his birthday party.

Incidentally, the party is slated for 24 January 2025, just a day before the Zifa elections. Even more alarming, the party at number 7 Taunton Road in Mandara, Harare at 7pm and will continue “till the next morning”.

This means councillors who attend the party could leave just a few hours before they vote for the next Zifa president.

A flyer from Kweza inviting the councillors reads: “Dear Zifa Councillor, join us as we mark a belated milestone and celebrate our shared love for the beautiful game.”

Those who want to RSVP their attendance are directed to email hiemartin@gmail.com.

One angry councillor said, “This is a shameless bribe. Seriously, what does he take us for? Chii chaari kuda kutipa ku party ikoko? Sei party yaitwa day before election?”

Kweza isn’t new to controversy, and there have been questions as to why the scandal-plagued chairperson of the Zifa Northern Region Soccer League is still even in the race.

Late last year, a concerned citizen lodged a complaint against Kweza with the Zifa Normalisation Committee what is managing the elections.

Terrance Pachirere argued that Kweza was unsuitable due to a work-related alleged criminal abuse of office case from January 2024, which was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission under reference HRC2/01/24. Additionally, there is an alleged fraud report (RRB31/07/24) filed by Engineer T. Maurukira, the Zinwa Chief Executive Officer. Kweza is employed by Zinwa.

The letter of objection was submitted to Zifa on December 16, with another copy also left with the Sport and Recreation Commission.

Kweza is contesting for the Zifa presidency against Marshall Gore, Philemon Machana, Nqobile Magwizi, Twine Phiri and Makwinji Phiri.