HARARE – Advocate Thabani Mpofu has ‘pleaded’ with High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi to allow his client Prophet Walter Magaya to contest in the upcoming Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidential election slated for January 25 at Rainbow Towers in Harare.
Magaya was disqualified from contesting in the poll by the ZIFA electoral committee for non-submission of his ‘O’ level certificate, a requirement for individuals who want to vie for the coveted top post.
The cleric reportedly submitted diplomas including a marketing and theology qualifications while ZIFA insists he must submit an ‘O’ level certificate as per the association’s newly amended constitution.
Magaya argues his diplomas match the equivalence of the required five O levels.
It comes after the ZIFA constitution states that individuals who want to contest for the presidential posts, must produce an ‘O’ level certificate “or an equivalent educational level”.
Due to submission of his diplomas, the Yadah president argues he stands a chance to be allowed to enter the race.
His lawyer, Mpofu also concurs.
He ‘pleaded’ with the High Court that his client must be allowed to contest because he possess higher qualifications than the required ‘O’ level.
“Let people contest each other and let the best candidate win. I stand before your Lordship to say the candidate must be given the opportunity to show he is best for the job,” said Mpofu.
On the other hand, Professor Lovemore Madhuku who was representing ZIFA argued that Magaya is ineligible, because he does not possess the required document.
“The applicant (Magaya) clearly has no case. You can’t qualify unless you have O level or equivalent,” Madhuku said.
“My learned colleague says you can have something higher than O level. The real issue is that he didn’t have O level.
“If he had O level he would have attached to the application. The logic of this you must have O level. The O level is the primary requirement needed.
“What Magaya is saying is like I didn’t do ECD but I want to start at grade four. He Magaya must show evidence that he attended High school.”
Judge Justice Chitapi requested Magaya to produce his ‘O’ level certificate but to no avail with the PHD leaders’ lawyer, Mpofu insisting that his client’s submission of the national diploma shows he has ‘O’ level.
With all this, Judge Justice Chitapi said the judgement of the urgent matter that could lead to the postponement of the much awaited ZIFA election is now set for next week Thursday.
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