By Sports Reporter- Self-proclaimed prophet Walter Magaya has suffered a legal defeat in his bid to halt the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidential elections, after the High Court dismissed his appeal against disqualification.

Justice Tawanda Chitapi ruled that Magaya’s educational qualifications did not meet the basic requirement of five Ordinary Level passes, deeming his appeal “lacking in merit.”

“The minimum requirement was a pass with 5 O’ Levels. Even if one holds a diploma or a PhD, an O’ Level certificate is still required,” Justice Chitapi stated in his judgment. “The applicant was coy in disclosing information regarding his qualifications, and the challenge cannot succeed.”

Magaya’s failure to provide evidence of his qualifications in his affidavit further weakened his case, with the court emphasising that submitting an O’ Level certificate would have resolved the issue easily.

The ruling clears the path for the ZIFA elections to proceed on Saturday, where six candidates are vying for the presidency.
The contenders include President Mnangagwa associate Nqobile Magwizi, former PSL chairperson Twine Phiri, UK-based football administrator Marshall Gore, former ZIFA board member Philemon Machana, Northern Region Division One league chairperson Martin Kweza, and ex-Dynamos forward Makwinje Phiri.

Magaya’s defeat follows a string of controversies, including rape, fraud and corruption.

Another disqualified aspirant, Temba Mliswa, recently withdrew his legal challenge, while former Warriors captain Benjamin Mwaruwari and administrator Gift Banda are pursuing their cases at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.