HARARE – Controversial millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo was accused of trying to manipulate elections for a new ZIFA executive on Saturday after promising to buy the 78 ZIFA councillors brand-new vehicles, provided they vote for Nqobile Magwizi in the race for president.

At the same time, Martin Kweza, who was running for president, has withdrawn from the elections after informing ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa through a letter on Saturday morning.

Sources said Kweza, who had gained support from some councillors, withdrew from the election after being pressured by shadowy figures claiming to have been sent by “the system.”

These individuals feared he could split the vote and insisted Kweza step aside to make way for the rise of a competing candidate, an insider said.

Saturday’s ZIFA election is seen as a chance for a fresh start for the football governing body which is still recovering from a one-year FIFA suspension that deprived thousands of footballers of the chance to showcase their talents.

Chivayo’s offer to the councillors has sparked an uproar in Zimbabwean football, with critics accusing him of attempting to buy the votes of councillors and determine the result of the election which sees Magwizi go head-to-head against Twine Phiri, Marshall Gore, Phillemon Machana and Makwinji Soma Phiri.

Magwizi is an employee of Sakunda Holdings, whose owner is the petroleum tycoon and Zanu PF benefactor Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

Praising Magwizi for what he called “visionary leadership, integrity, and professionalism that transcends past failures,” Chivayo declared: “If Nqobile Magwizi wins, I’m committed to making bold contributions to support his vision for football.

“To begin with, he will immediately ‘GO AND SEE VICTOR’ and get himself a brand-new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series worth US$200,000—a car befitting the status of a ZIFA president.

“After Magwizi takes office, with his authority, I will also motivate the newly elected board members and all councillors countrywide, each of them will also receive brand-new vehicles.”

In addition to the cars, Chivayo pledged a US$10 million sponsorship to ZIFA’s football development efforts, earmarked for grassroots development, operational excellence, and the sport’s commercialisation.

He said the finer details of the sponsorship would only be disclosed after Magwizi’s victory and the inauguration of the new president.

Walter Magaya, a prominent businessman and pastor with significant influence in Zimbabwe’s sports scene has also reluctantly backed Magwizi’s campaign after being pressured by “elders” and “powerful people” after his own disqualification from the race in December.

“I can’t fight the system,” Magaya told ZIFA councillors on Friday night.

Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu said Chivayo’s offer of cars and incentives to ZIFA councillors just hours before the vote was “a really sad day for football.”

“The ZIFA ethics committee must come in and stop this nonsense. Wicknell Chivayo must start telling us how much he pays in tax. ZIMRA must start doing their job,” Matewu wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The apparent vote buying and pressure on Magwizi’s rivals has reminded football fans of the era of ex-ZIFA boss Philip Chiyangwa who disqualified all his opponents only to lose to little-known Felton Kamambo.

“Despite Kamambo having only days to prepare and facing a financial giant like Chiyangwa, the councillors shocked everyone by voting for Kamambo. They vote for the candidate who is relatable, protects their interests, and is truly for football,” according to Harare-based Warriors supporter, Tendai Savanhu.