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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
A petition by an Indlovu Iyanyathela official to have Sunday’s Zifa Southern Region elections cancelled flopped after some members of the electoral college rejected reasons proffered.

Blessing Mbwanda, who was representing the Zimbabwe National Army side, allegedly pushed the petition paper moments before the elections kicked off, arguing that members of the area zones must not be allowed to vote for the regional leadership.

“We were shocked when he clandestinely pushed the petition paper with all the clubs’ names and asked us to append our signatures.

“The petition was calling for the postponement of the elections so that the issue of the electorate could be attended to arguing that those representing area zones were not supposed to be part of the electorate.

“While we don’t have proof, we were, however, convinced that he was being used and we flatly refused to buy into their politicking because we are football people and want our region to move forward,” said a member of the electoral college.

Contacted for comment, Mbwanda vehemently denied pushing the petition nor seeing the petition paper.

“I was just there to vote. I was not part and parcel of the people who were seeking office and why would I therefore worry myself about who was in the voting panel?

“The elections went on smoothly and people were declared winners without any qualms. I never saw the petition paper,” said Mbwanda.

In January this year, Mbwanda appeared in court for allegedly threatening Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda with unspecified action if he did not lift the suspensions of some Zifa employees.

Former Highlanders secretary-general Andrew Tapela beat incumbent Musa Mandaza by 20 votes to seven to secure the Southern Region chairmanship.

He will be deputised by Gaylord Madhunguza, who was unopposed.

Also falling by the wayside was Tumediso Ndlovu, who got seven votes, while Mehluli Thebe, Tizirayi Luphahla, Fiso Siziba and retired referee Bryton Malandule were elected onto the regional board for the next four years.