By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has withdrawn its decision to declare Ria Ledwaba a ‘persona non grata’ within the organisation.
Earlier this month, SAFA declared Ledwaba a “persona non grata”, effectively banning her from all SAFA programmes.
Ledwaba has been given a cold shoulder since her decision to legally challenge SAFA over the presidential elections of June 2022, which saw the re-election of Danny Jordaan.
The decision was announced by her attorney and former SAFA CEO Leslie Sedibe during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“After thorough consultation with our legal team and studying the judgment further, we noted that the judge held that… you are no longer a member of SAFA, nor do you hold a position within a position of SAFA and as such have no ‘loco standing’ to invoke the SAFA statute…
“By virtue that you are nowhere within the structures of SAFA and as such, we have no jurisdiction over you, we regret having sent you a letter dated 6 March 2024, which is hereby withdrawn.”
Ledwaba said she doesn’t believe the entire executive body made the decision, but only one person.
“Now I must be declared ‘persona non grata’ after contributing so much to the football with my own money. I have not regained my money to make what our football it is today. I don’t believe that the executive took that decision, I know that is how Safa operates.”
Ledwaba’s ban from all football activities has been lifted with immediate effect, and she has demanded an apology from SAFA.
She called on world football governing body FIFA to disband the leadership of the association and install a normalisation committee.
“I can say to SAFA if they are listening to me, wherever they are, you will not be able to silence me. The issues that I raise will remain a thorn for the organisation,” said Ledwaba.
“I am calling on FIFA. I saw that CAF wrote a letter. But I am calling on FIFA, I am saying to FIFA, you have done it in many federations where there is mismanagement of funds and poor governance in a federation.
The South African Football Association could not be reached for comment.