Regions disqualified and SAMLFA excluded from SAFA elections

SABC Sport has learnt that three regions from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape have been disqualified from participating in the elections due to various issues around the elective congresses.  But it’s the exclusion of football legends’ associate member status at these elections that has raised further eyebrows. All eyes are on the presidential race, pitting the incumbent Danny Jordaan and AmaZulu boss Sandile Zungu.

Coming to these elections, a total of 52 regions, 10 associate members, the special member National Soccer League, and 41 NEC members were expected to vote.  

But with three regions disqualified, owing to issues around their regional elections, namely Amajuba in KwaZulu-Natal, Sarah Baartman in the Eastern Cape, and Pixley Ka Seme in the Northern Cape , it means that 49 regions will cast the ballot today for the presidential and NEC elections. 

There’s also been an issue around the Harry Gwala regions after the outcome of their elections was challenged by the Vice-President in that area, but it’s expected to be one of the hotly contested points in the Congress today.

 But the biggest talking point from yesterday was the exclusion of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) from the elections, after their accreditation to attend the SAFA elective congress was withheld on Thursday.

This prevents the football legends structure from participating in the congress and also effectively places their membership and voting rights in abeyance on the eve of the leadership election. 

The biggest focus of today’s elections is the presidential contest between the incumbent Danny Jordaan, who is chasing his fourth term, and AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu. 

Amajuba and Pixley Ka Seme, are regions that were known to be backing Zungu, with Sarah Baartman having been counted by Jordaan’s camp as one of their six provinces in the Eastern Cape.

With the NEC members voting for the first time, 35 members are expected to cast their votes, with five members expelled. SAMLFA Interim President Buddha Mathate was evicted from the NEC meeting yesterday. He told SABC News that he was protesting against the decision to be declared ineligible to contest the elections by the SAFA Governance Committee. The suspension from the NEC means that he also won’t be able to cast his vote today. 

Meanwhile, SAFA has officially confirmed that several delegates have received death threats, harassment, and intimidation ahead of their elective congress. 

SAFA says they are taking these threats with the utmost seriousness. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been notified to handle the criminal threats, and physical security around the venue has been significantly strengthened to protect the attendees

Both caucuses are believed to have spent the hours of last night till this morning, crunching the numbers and pushing for last-minute defections. Today’s vote is expected to be a watershed moment in South African football, with the presidential vote set to take place before the NEC vote. Velile Mnyandu, SABC Sport, in Midrand.