Zungu condemns weaponization of SAFA Constitution amid alleged threats to regions

Speaking to the media shortly after his speech during the launch of his campaign at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg today, Zungu reveals that some of the regions that are backing him have been receiving a lot of threats. Present in the meeting were SAFA NEC members, including Vice-President Bennet Bailey, as Zungu talks strongly against the current SAFA constitution.

"The issue of eligibility talks is not even an issue for us. We are eligible. It's not a question of those who stand up and say, we support SZ 2026. Will they be having a constitution slapped in front of them with immediate suspensions? So when you weaponize a constitution, you use it to drive a factional agenda," said Zungu

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 "And when you do that, you may think you are successful in the short term, but you are destroying the very fabric of the institution that you lead. We've got to revisit the constitution of South Africa."

"It may not be overnight, but we've got to revisit it, not withstand it, and make sure that constitution lives beyond any incumbent.That constitution is sacrosanct because it has capacity to withstand all seasons."

Since Zungu announced his candidature for the elections, there’s been some concerns from those who would like to see change in South African football, that he might not be eligible to stand for the elections, due to the ever-changing SAFA constitution. Article 30.4 of the SAFA Constitution, which was only amended in 2022, says candidates must have at least 10 years of active administrative experience within SAFA structures. Zungu, who has previously served in the SAFA Remunerations Committee (REMCO) is not even bothered by the eligibility talks.

Zungu’s launch was attended by representatives of regions from all the provinces, except Mpumalanga, SAFA Associate members, and legends, including former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe. Interestingly, Zungu’s campaign or statements so far have differed from those of previous challengers of the incumbent, Danny Jordaan, focused on what the organisation needs and not on the character of the current SAFA President. The AmaZulu President says it’s important to focus on building the organisation.

The presence of Radebe in today’s launch has also given a strong hint that he could be part of Zungu’s cabinet should their campaign become successful, and he has neither confirmed nor denied that. A member of the 1996 AFCON winning cup squad and Bafana’s captain at the first two World Cups in 1998 and 2002, Radebe has received a lot of calls in the past to enter the SAFA election race. Zungu says there can be no future of SA football without the involvement of the legends, particularly that AFCON 96 winning team, with Radebe in the mix.