Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidential aspirant Philemon Machana’s name has been thrown in the mud once again, and his quest for the top spot could be jeopardised.
This follows an impending court case scheduled for October 31.
Machana, along with ex-ZIFA president Felton Kamambo and other former body members in Brighton Malandule, Stanley Chapeta and Joseph Mamutse faces fraud charges.
The charges come after these five allegedly wrote letters on ZIFA letterheads, suspending congress members while they themselves were already suspended by the government arm, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The SRC initially withdrew the case in June 2023, with then acting director Sebastian Garikai testifying they no longer wanted to pursue the matter.
Garikai did not disclose reasons for the withdrawal of the case, but stated the SRC no longer wanted to pursue the alleged criminal matter.
Garikai told the court that the SRC acted based on information provided by Kenny Ndebele the PSL boss, Wellington Mupandare former Warriors manager, and Xolisani Gwesela former ZIFA communications officer and CEO without conducting further verification.
Furthermore, he also admitted the SRC did not verify if Mamutse signed the letters as alleged by the State.
Despite the SRC’s withdrawal, the case is back in court and will continue on the 31st of October.
The case’s revival now raises questions about Machana’s eligibility for the ZIFA presidency.
According to the new ZIFA constitution, Executive Committee members must have a clean record, with no prior convictions or sentences for any offense.
Reads the constitution: “All members of the Executive Committee shall not have been previously convicted and sentenced for any offence.”
This means if found guilty, Machana will be disqualified from contesting in the much coveted ZIFA presidency.
This will be a blow for Machana whose troubles extend beyond the fraud allegations.
Machana is allegedly the brains behind a company called Rollertag which received close to US$1 million from ZIFA for grassroots football equipment.
At the time, he was ZIFA’s director in charge of finance who also acted as the association’s vice president.
The huge payment which saw Rollertag buying substandard football equipment, was spread over a period of two years.
