By Hope Chizuzu
The Zifa NC acknowledges the CAS appeal of Benjani over his disqualification from the January 25 executive Committee election and will respect the decision of the international arbitration court, but… The Page reports.
While the NC respects Benjani decision to approach the CAS, the Zifa said they have also received High Court papers filed by Walter Magaya, another of the five disqualified people.
The NC, however said in respect of Magaya application for review, the decision to go to public courts, and not the CAS, as espoused in the constitution is ultra vires, and for that reason, the Yadah president, remain disqualified and the elections will go ahead as scheduled on January 25.
Benjani, Magaya, Farai Jere, Temba Mliswa and Bernard Gwarada were disqualified from the plebiscite, due in 19 days.
”The ZIFA Normalisation Committee acting as the ZIFA Electoral Committee has acknowldged receipt of Walter Magaya’s Court Application for Review filed with the High Court of Zimbabwe following his ineligibility to run for ZIFA Presidency which was communicated on the 23rd of December 2024.
“In response ZIFA Electoral Committee stipulates that Magaya’s actions of approaching local courts is ultra vires ZIFA Statutes, albeit it being an application for review – it does not address any procedural irregularities but substantive issues which should have been taken at the level of CAS in accordance with ZIFA Statutes.
“However, we applaud Benjani and Gift Banda on their willingness to comply with ZIFA Statutes and procedurally challenge their ineligibility at CAS and we are co-operative in our approach and will ensure the process remains as transparent as possible and will respect the CAS verdict when it comes.
“We are working closely with our external Counsel to ensure we respond within the stipulated dies inducia of two days and will be following closely the CAS proceeding, ” the NC responded.
In respect of the Benjani application at CAS, the NC clarified: “For the avoidance of doubt , we received the CAS application on Monday afternoon the 6th of January 2025.
As it stands the election is going ahead as planned, as they’re within their window to favour CAS with details for the Benjani matter, as requested.
The convocation for the elective Congress is on January 15 as names of candidates and delegates will be published, according to the constitution.
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