Omega Sibanda Biography | Background | Wife | Political Career | ZIFA Vice Presidency

Omega Sibanda is a Zimbabwean politician and football administrator. He is a long-time member of the ZANU-PF party and has held various roles in Zimbabwean football, including Vice President of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).

Table of Contents

Background

Omega Sibanda is the brother of Ezra Tshisa Sibanda.

Wife

As of September 2019, he is married to Emily Sibanda.

Political Career

Inspired by Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, whom he once managed, Omega Sibanda joined ZANU-PF in 1992.

In the 2018 Zimbabwean elections, he defeated incumbent MP Josphat Madubeko in the Vungu Constituency primary elections. He subsequently won the parliamentary seat for Vungu Constituency during the harmonized elections in July 2018.

Football Administration Career

Early Roles

Before becoming a high-ranking football official, Sibanda was deeply involved in football at various levels:

Highlanders Football Club: He was active in several club structures, starting as secretary of the supporters’ club in Gweru before becoming a member of sub-committees in Bulawayo and later an executive member.
CMED Football Club: Served as chairman.
Five-a-Side Football League: Played a role in its formation in Bulawayo.
FC Windermere: Founded the club, which mentored players like Milton Ncube and Richard Jongwe and progressed to Division One under his leadership.

ZIFA Vice Presidency

On March 29, 2014, Sibanda was elected Vice President of ZIFA, receiving 38 votes against Elkanah Dube’s 20. He served as deputy to ZIFA President Cuthbert Dube, although he later cited clashes with ZIFA Chief Executive Jonathan Mashingaidze as a hindrance to his work.

In 2015, Sibanda supported Philip Chiyangwa’s successful bid for the ZIFA presidency. On December 5, 2015, he was re-elected as ZIFA Vice President, alongside Felton Kamambo, Edzai Kasinauyo, Piraishe Mabhena, and Philemon Machana.

However, on December 16, 2018, Sibanda lost his position as Vice President to Gift Banda, receiving 22 votes compared to Banda’s 37.

During his tenure, Sibanda chaired the ZIFA Technical and Development Committee.

Lifetime Ban

In August 2019, ZIFA banned Sibanda and Philip Chiyangwa for life from holding any posts within the organization. ZIFA accused Sibanda of interfering with judicial bodies, including influencing a lawyer to dismiss an electoral case.

Armed Robbery

On July 21, 2014, four armed robbers broke into Sibanda’s offices and stole property worth over US$25,000. The suspects were arrested within 24 hours and linked to several other thefts in Bulawayo.

Unpaid Loans

In 2017 and 2019, Sibanda and his wife faced court cases over unpaid personal loans:

In 2017, a Bulawayo doctor sued them for failing to repay a loan of over US$13,000.
In 2019, they were ordered by the High Court to repay US$6,750 with interest to Irene and Charles Ganyanhewe, who had lent them the money in 2011. Despite acknowledging the debt, the couple argued that part of the amount constituted illegal default interest.