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ZIFA Elections to Proceed After High Court Clears Legal Obstacle

ZIFA Elections

The much-anticipated ZIFA elections are set to take place tomorrow without any legal obstacles following a High Court ruling. Justice Tawanda Chitapi dismissed an urgent chamber application filed by disqualified presidential candidate Walter Magaya.

Magaya, who owns Yadah Stars football club, had sought to challenge the ZIFA Ethics Committee’s decision to disqualify him from the race. He argued against the clause in the association’s revised statutes that requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to have passed a minimum of five O-level subjects or hold an equivalent qualification.

Magaya did not submit an O-level certificate and claimed the rejection of his alternative qualifications was “unreasonable,” “discriminatory,” and “unlawful.” However, after reviewing submissions from both parties, Justice Chitapi ruled that Magaya’s application lacked merit.

ALSO READ: Just In: High Court Rules Against Walter Magaya’s Challenge for ZIFA Presidency

“The court, before overturning a decision, must be convinced that no rational person applying logic and common sense could have arrived at the same conclusion as the deciding authority. The applicant’s challenge cannot succeed under the circumstances,” Justice Chitapi stated.

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The judge noted that Magaya failed to meet the basic requirement of submitting the necessary certificate and had not provided sufficient evidence to support claims that the ZIFA Electoral Committee’s decision-making process was flawed.

“It is my view that the applicant’s challenge was neither frivolous nor vexatious, as it raised a matter of public interest. However, the circumstances do not warrant overturning the committee’s decision,” said Justice Chitapi.

The court dismissed the application but ruled that each party would bear its own legal costs.

With Magaya’s appeal resolved, six candidates remain in the race for the ZIFA presidency. These include Philemon Machana, Nqobile Magwizi, Marshall Gore, Martin Kweza, Makwinji Soma-Phiri, and Twine Phiri, who have all been cleared to contest.

The elections will move forward as scheduled, marking a significant moment for Zimbabwean football.

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