HARARE – Yadah FC owner Prophet Walter Magaya has written to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging ZIFA’s new constitutional amendment that requires all individuals seeking to contest for president and vice president posts to be holders of five ‘O’ levels or equivalent.
Magaya who did not submit the required educational qualification, did not pass the eligibility test and was disqualified from contesting in the January 25 election.
Reports also suggest he was disqualified due to pending court cases and a conviction following his Aguma scandal.
In 2019 a court convicted Magaya of fraud and fined him $700 (£540) for falsely claiming he had a herbal cure for HIV and Aids.
However, the football enthusiast argues that his qualifications that include higher certificate in Marketing, a national diploma in Marketing, and a higher certificate in Theology (Cum laude), are more than equivalent five ‘O’ levels.
Consequently, Magaya strongly believes he must be allowed to contest.
“The appellant seeks a determination that a proper and purposive interpretation of the statutes supports the view that his qualifications, which include a higher certificate in Marketing, a national diploma in Marketing, and a higher certificate in Theology (Cum laude), are not equivalent but are better that a mere five O’ Levels.
“They exceed the ‘O’ Level certificate requirement and must be accepted for purposes of contesting the Zifa presidency,” through his lawyers of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, the cleric wrote to CAS.
Furthermore, they said: “While it is admitted that the appellant did not submit proof that he has the minimum 5 ‘O’ Level passes, appellant contends that an interpretation that a candidate for the position of president must produce an ‘O’ Level certificate even if they hold superior qualification is flawed, unduly restrictive and grossly irregular in its defiance of logic such that no decision maker, properly applying his mind, would come to such a conclusion.
“Alternatively, it is argued that the provision is discriminatory and is/was deliberately set to exclude administrators and former players from the administration of the game.”
The former Zimbabwe national teams benefactor is pleading for; “A decision allowing the appeal by the appellant. The decision of the Zifa Normalisation Committee disqualifying the appellant as a candidate for the Zimbabwe Football Association executive election for non-submission of Ordinary Level certificates be set aside. That the first and second respondents (Mutasa and Zifa normalisation committee) jointly pay the full costs of the tribunal and that of the appellant.”
On Tuesday, Magaya was at the High Court where he is seeking to stop the upcoming ZIFA Executive Elections citing his disqualification as null and void.
The matter was deferred to Friday by High Court Judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi who ruled that the application deserves to be treated as an urgent matter.
Is a certificate in Theology equivalent to an "O" level certificate….?
Five ordinary level is a simple basic high school. If one didn’t meet qualifications for basic high school graduation, how would he professionally run the highest national soccer board
Write or Re-write O level Mr Magaya, whichever is applicable.
Leave the waterpot system and take up the River Sir Magaya vachasara vachiti o-level certificate o-level certificate Satan vana va Satan.
Ko ngangonyora ka 0 level yacho nhai ,ko inonetseiko nhai aaa?
Nditengere imba ku Highlands ndikunyorete O level
He has successfully run many businesses without the 5 O Levels, surely he can do it.
And those with masters degrees have failed to construct a single decent stadium with basic standards acceptable to CAF let alone manage a successful soccer club..
Prophet asina Chikoro
See the poverty of Africans ,now the prosperity of the loving sport is stopped by an o -level certificate which is about to be scrept in digital industrial : forth industrial revolution will not require ur degrees my dear it requires innovation and ability to visionary : since ur education work show us wht u have run ;which superseded what magaya have done .zifa needs sponsorship our sporting facilities need sponsorship not o-level certificate .insult me either way but thus the truth .you shall be ruled buy this colonial tool of the west called education .leaving God's ability .Judges 6:14
[14]And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? I don't follow Magaya but where truth has to be said ,let it be .
The best tech brains the world has ever known were all college dropouts. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.
How do you get into college, I reckon you need to pass your high school exams?
Don't spread your god propaganda. The very same propaganda the colonialists used to subjugate us. An 'O' level certificate is an indication that when faced with challenges, you have the toolbox to deal with them. It's your level of appreciation, understanding and engagement that is measured. A public position is very different from a private one.
Vaka winner ini ndakuto challenger ma requirements ekuita doctor!!!
Go to school papa, this job is a very big job
1 Corinthians 1:19-21,25-31
[19]For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
[20]Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
[21]For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
[25]Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
[26]For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
[27]But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
[28]And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
[29]That no flesh should glory in his presence.
[30]But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
[31]That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Kenny Musa those guys Musk, Zuckerberg went to school bambo though some of them like Bill Gates dropped out of university. Can you go to university without the required points from O and A level? You are talking of super thinkers there. Mugabe, Gono and Ncube yes went to school and whatever they do/did they are sorrounded with advisors who went to school/university. Would they be selected to lead ministries if did not go to school. Ngaanyore O Level like everyone else and stop barking for nothing
Show me the o-level certificate for Elon Musk ,Mutsipe , Zuckerberg etc . Where is Zimbabwean economy with Mugabe ,Gono ,Mthuli Ncube to name a few .
And these are supposed to be Zimbabwe's thought leaders with no 'Ordinary' Level certificate, the most basic of all qualifications. The dogs would not accept that, maybe the country has gone to the hyenas.