Zifa elections gear up

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIFA’S election period, often dubbed “the mad season” officially got underway last Friday with the association releasing the much-awaited nomination forms and sending aspiring candidates into the trenches as they seek endorsement of members.

But the opening day of the nomination court was not without drama amid revelations that there is a spirited legal bid to stop Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza’s aspiration for the Zifa presidency.

Kweza has come under attack from a member of the public who is seeking a High Court order in Harare to declare his chairmanship of the NRSL a nullity.

The complainant Maxwell Mabuto argues that he is a soccer fan who resides within the Northern Region and his interest in football gives him the locus standi to question Kweza, the region and Zifa over his leadership of the second-tier league.

He claims that Kweza was imposed as NRSL chairman following the death of incumbent Willard Manyengavana in August 2019.

Mabuto also contends that Zifa, the third respondent should not have accepted Kweza’s chairmanship.

“I am advised and verily believe that in order to succeed in an application of this nature, I must demonstrate that I have interest in existing, future or contingent right or obligation and that I have a direct and substantial interest in the subject matter of the suit,” Mabuto said.

“I am an avid fan and supporter of the game of football and I am domiciled within the second respondent’s (NRSL) area of operation.

“No acting chairman was appointed in terms of the statutes and no special general meeting was convened for purposes of appointing a substantive chairman.

“I desire that the order and rule of law prevail in the administration of football in the said area and I am aggrieved by the manner in which the first respondent has ascended to the office of the second respondent which I consider to be unlawful and invalid.

“It is my submission therefore that I have a real substantial interest in the subject matter of the suit. “For the reasons that follow hereunder, it is submitted that the appointment of first respondent as chairman of second respondent was illegal and was therefore a nullity and of no force or effect,” added Mabuto.

He feels that NRSL flouted Zifa statutes in the manner that Kweza became substantive chairman.

“Third respondent (Zifa’s) statutes prevail over the operations and activities of second respondent and other bodies affiliated to it.

“Every football body in Zimbabwe including second respondent is enjoined to abide by the regulations, directions and principles set out in third respondent’s statutes and in the stakeholders of Fifa, Caf and Cosafa.

“Further to the above, substantial justice demands that any party appointed onto the board of a body corporate in any capacity be so appointed under said body’s governing documents.

“The first respondent, in deliberate violation of third respondent’s statutes, ascended to second respondent’s substantive chairmanship immediately after the incumbent’s death.”

Mabuto further claimed in his court papers that NRSL did not appoint an acting chairman after Manyengavana’s sudden death.

“It is my sincerest submission in view of the foregoing that the appointment of first respondent as substantive chairman of the second respondent ought to be declared unlawful and a legal nullity wherefore I pray for an order in terms of the draft,” Mabuto said.

Kweza was not immediately available for comment yesterday. He has 10 days from November 21 within which to file his responses.

However, sources close to the NRSL indicated that the region believe that “it is part of the politics of Zifa elections.”