The SA Football Association [SAFA] has handed down decade-long bans to ten executive committee officials with immediate effect.
The SAFA officials are from the Thulamela Football Association [THULFA] in the Limpopo province.
And the heavy ban on the officials comes after the power struggle between SAFA in Vhembe and the leaders of one of its affiliates THULFA.
FARPost reported in April this year that the region led by President Jabulani Ndove terminated the membership of one of the biggest LFAs in the country. The whole executive was also suspended for ‘defying instructions’.
WHAT LED TO SAFA OFFICIALS BEING BANNED FOR 10 YEARS
The fallout comes after THULFA held a highly contested election which was followed by disputes. While the region wanted to intervene, the elected leaders defied it. It resulted in the matter being taken to the national level and ruled in favour of the region. The suspended officials also took the matter to FIFA but were dismissed.
In a statement issued by the region, the LFA will now be placed under administration. This is until they pave the way forward.
The banned executive committee members are; David Khakhu [1st Deputy Chairperson], and Eric Munyai [2nd Deputy Chairperson]. Mavis Mulibana [3rd Deputy Chairperson] and Eric Makungo [Treasurer].
The list also includes leaders of the different zones from the LFA; Richard Muthego [Tshilamba Zone], and Emmanuel Mulaudzi [Dzindi Zone]. Thinawanga Maphagela [Phiriphiri Zone] and Nesane Mutshafa [Nzhelele Zone].
LFA PLACED UNDER ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWING DECISION AGAINST ‘DEFIANT’ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
“Following the continuous defiance by the Executive Committee of Thulamela Local Football Association, SAFA Vhembe was left with no other option but to invoke Article 13.2 of SAFA Vhembe statutes to ban the following members for ten years. SAFA Vhembe took the decision during its 2022-2023 Ordinary Congress,” reads a statement from the region.
“Having taken the above decisions, SAFA Vhembe will then move with speed to implement the decision of administering football in Thulamela Local Football Association.
The SAFA Vhembe Emergency Committee is set to meet this week to pave the way forward for the football activities to resume in THULFA,” they said.
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