By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
South African Football Association (SAFA) vice-president Ria Ledwaba and Vhembe region have served court papers seeking to stop the Safa elections scheduled on June 25.
They allege several constitutional irregularities surrounding the elections. They say some constitutional changes made at a March 26 ordinary congress were aimed at entrenching incumbent Danny Jordaan as president.
Ledwaba, Jordaan and Safa Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng were announced by Safa as cleared by the governance committee to stand for the Safa presidency in the elective congress.
In a letter sent to SAFA national executive committee (NEC) members, SAFA confirms Ledwaba has filed applications to the Gauteng and Western Cape High Courts to stop the presidential election.
“The vice president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Ms Ria Ledwaba has approached the court on an urgent basis to stop the SAFA elections scheduled for 25 June,” the document reads.
“The matter is between Ms Ledwaba, SAFA, All Members of the Governance Committee and the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee Justice Sisi Khampepe.This matter is brought on behalf of Ms Ria Ledwaba and SAFA Vhembe. SAFA has already filed a notice for an intention to oppose this matter.
“Further note that this matter was also referred to SASCOC, CAF and FIFA. We wish to confirm that every nominated candidate as submitted to the CEO was forwarded to the Governance Committee for integrity check and finalisation.
“The final list has been received and was forwarded to all members. SAFA is satisfied that it has met the provisions of the SAFA Statutes and the governance requirements and will proceed with the arrangements of the Elective Congress on 25 June 2022.”
In the document, which is signed by SAFA CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, the organisation spells out that Ledwaba’s actions are contrary to their and world governing body FIFA’s statutes by approaching ordinary courts.