This paper heard of several allegations that some Zifa councillors, who constitute the electorate, received payments from candidates in the form of allowances and other “tokens”.The only official complaint made so far was in women’s football where a petition seeking to nullify Mavis Gumbo as elected chairperson of the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League has been delivered to Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya.Others could follow in the coming days. “Provincial and regional nomination fees for councillors were paid for by Mavis Gumbo who besides being an interested part, was also an aspiring candidate for the post of national chairperson,” reads part of the petition signed by Paddington Japajapa, Susan Chibizhe and Teresah Maguraushe.In an interview, Japajapa added: “Councillors of such calibre should be scrutinised as they can be easily corrupted, they should put football first ahead of money. Ethics of elections should be followed despite the harsh economic crisis.” The report also alleged that some of the councillors were housed at a lodge belonging to an “interested part” before the polls in Harare.“The welfare of the councillors was supposed to be the responsibility of the Zifa appointed electoral committee who had levied candidates US$400 which was supposed to cater for the running costs.”Gumbo could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press last night.
Ashley Marimo
