By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that four NEC members — Emma Hendricks, Gladwyn White, Orapeleng Setlhare, and Monde Montshiwa — remain suspended.
They were placed on suspension since 28 March 2026.
The NEC members were suspended following the 34th Ordinary Congress held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in the East of Johannesburg in May 2026.
Their court application was dismissed by Acting Judge Matlhape for lack of urgency and a costs order on Scale B was awarded.
In a statement, SAFA said, “The latest ruling brings, for the time being, to an end a prolonged course of urgent litigation in which the four repeatedly withdrew or amended their case when faced with procedural shortcomings or substantive opposition, instead of allowing the dispute to be adjudicated on its merits.”
SAFA remains committed to good governance, the integrity of its constitutional structures, and the development of football in South Africa, and will continue to defend its governance decisions robustly against any further attempts to re-litigate this matter, the statement read.
Banyana Banyana
SAFA has confirmed that it is dealing internally with social media comments involving a Banyana Banyana player, Bambanani Mbane.
Mbane, who responded to supporters on social media, urging those who do not support the team to refrain from doing so rather than criticising players.
“If you don’t want to support us then don’t… it doesn’t mean when you don’t support us something will change… you want us to beg y’all like you’re our Gods… you don’t even watch football, all you know is highlights… f*cken sh*t,” Mbane said.
The football association said, it had taken note of the public reaction and assured supporters that the matter was being handled internally.
“We would like to assure the football loving fans and Banyana Banyana supporters that the matter is being dealt with internally,” SAFA said.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
Refereeing decisions have again become a major talking point at the start of the new season, with a disputed penalty call in the match between Richards Bay FC and Polokwane City prompting renewed scrutiny of match officials.
The incident has added to concerns that little has changed in the standard of refereeing despite the beginning of a new campaign. Fans, players and coaches have continued to express frustration at decisions they consider controversial.
The debate over the use of VAR has therefore returned to the centre of attention in South African football.
SAFA confirmed the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will not be used at the start of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
SAFA’s Head of Referees, Abdul Ebrahim, stated that extensive training is still required and has not yet commenced.
“The project team is now awaiting the approval from the NEC to give the go-ahead. We do know that the department of sport has deposited money for the VAR rollout.”
“With the project team in place, it’s just a matter of getting the approval.”
Ebrahim said that once they received the approval, the VAR project team would organise a media briefing with the CEO to inform everybody of the next steps.
“The NEC needs to approve the recommendation from the VAR project team with regard to the service technical provider. And once all those approvals are in place, then the project team can take the next steps.”