Business as usual
Despite the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) ordering fresh and transparent nominations in regional football associations’ elections, it is business as usual as initial candidates lists that raised suspicions of corruption have been maintained.
Conspicuously missing on the list for Central Region Football Association (CRFA) is former Football Association of Malawi vice-president James Mwenda as key positions are still going unopposed.
He had an interest to vie for the position of chairperson.
During the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) elections held on Sunday Lameck Khonje retained his position unopposed at the elective annual meeting held on Sunday in Mzuzu.
Mabuchi Mkandawire was elected vice-president in absentia beating Alufeyo Chipanga with 24 votes against four, general secretary Masiya Nyasulu was re-elected unopposed just like vice-general secretary Desire Bellings Kibombwe and legal adviser Kolezi Phiri.
It is the same situation with the Southern Region Football Association (SRFA).
CRFA chairperson Austin Ajawa, vice-chairperson Goodall Chinjoka and general secretary Benard Chiwiriwiri Harawa will go unopposed while Charles Majidum Selemani, Mike Tembo and Mwera Gondwe will battle it out for the vice-general secretary position.
In the SRFA, chairperson Raphael Humba, vice-chairperson Patrick Mbalati,general secretary Dyless Kachala, vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye, treasurer Pharaoh Phiri vice-treasurer Rajab Namalaka will also go unopposed.
In an interview yesterday, Mwenda said the process was still not transparent.
He said: “The process was still chaotic. Everything was plotted that is why I just pulled out. Mind you, with this set-up, forget that Malawi football will develop.”
On his part, Simeon Lijenje, who lodged a complaint to ACB, also claimed that there were still irregularities in the nomination.
Reacting to the allegations, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said the process was done as ACB recommended.
Harawa also said it is good that the nomination process was transparent and that deserving candidates have been nominated.
On his part, SRFA chairperson Raphael Humba said people are just good at talking, but failed to reach out to the districts to get nominated.
“People are just good at talking. Nobody came to challenge us; hence, many positions have gone unopposed,” he said.
Soccer analyst Kevin Moyo said the way the regional voting system are designed it is impossible for those outside to penetrate.
He said: “I am not surprised to see same names on the nomination list. The way the regional voting system is designed makes it impossible for those outside the regional football structures to contest unless they are invited by those already in the system.
“As regards nominations, things have gone from bad to worse after the coming in of ACB to investigate, the vice-chair of CRFA who had a nomination during the initial elections has failed to get one this time around.”
Moyo said the coming in of ACB to investigate has had no impact on the regional elections.
“The only solution to having free and fair elections is to engage the FA affiliates and football stakeholders on a reformist agenda.”
During the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) elections held, Lameck Khonje retained his position unopposed at the elective annual meeting held on Sunday in Mzuzu.
Mabuchi Mkandawire was elected vice-president in absentia beating Alufeyo Chipanga with 24 votes against four, Masiya Nyasulu was re-elected unopposed just like vice-general secretary Desire Bellings Kibombwe and legal adviser Kolezi Phiri.
