Aspiring ZIFA Presidential Candidate Denies Fraud Allegations – Eduzim News

Sports Correspondent

Philemon Machana, a former ZIFA board member and aspiring candidate for the association’s presidency, has strongly denied allegations of financial misconduct and fraud. Machana describes the accusations as a “malicious attempt” to undermine his candidacy and damage his reputation.

As the highly anticipated ZIFA election approaches on January 25, tensions have risen, with the race described as one of the most closely watched since independence due to the high-profile candidates involved. Efforts to disqualify certain candidates have intensified, creating a contentious atmosphere.

This week, the ZIFA Ethics Committee, which will review candidates before announcing the final list on December 23, was presented with objections against Machana, popular cleric Walter Magaya, and Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza. A letter from K. Mugadzaweta, also sent to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), accused Machana of financial misconduct and fraud related to a forensic audit of ZIFA’s finances from December 2018 to November 2021.

In response, Machana, through his legal team at Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and politically timed, noting that the complaints were lodged with ZACC only after the ZIFA election nominations had closed.

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