Highlands Park’s qualification for the promotional playoffs is now in serious jeopardy following a new development concerning their Nigerian player, who has been found to be using fraudulent visa documents.
In a significant blow to the club, NB La Masia‘s appeal against Highlands Park has been successful, resulting in them being awarded three points for the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League match played on February 21, which originally ended in a 1-1 draw.
The controversy centres on Nigerian forward Chigamezu Franklin Ogbonna, who has been exposed for using fraudulent study and general work visas in South Africa while actively participating in matches for Highlands Park in the ABC Motsepe League. SAFA competition rules permit foreign players to be registered only if they hold a valid study visa.
This revelation comes shortly after the former PSL club, Highlands Park, secured the title in the SAFA 18-team Gauteng ABC Motsepe League. Prior to this ruling, the Lions of the North had accumulated 83 points from 34 outings, placing them six points clear of second-placed Gomora United, led by former Black Leopards coach Johnny Ferreira.
Across those 34 games, Highlands Park boasted an impressive record of 26 wins, five draws, and only three defeats. However, they now face potential relegation from the league for fielding Ogbonna, an immigrant who was illegally in the country. While a disciplinary committee initially delivered a ruling favoring Highlands Park in April, La Masia subsequently appealed and won the case.
AFFIDAVIT CONFIRMS FRAUDULENT NATURE OF OGBONNA’S DOCUMENTS
An affidavit recently obtained by FARPost confirms the fraudulent nature of the documents. Reshigan Kistan, an administrative clerk from the Department of Home Affairs, verified that the two documents purportedly used by the striker were indeed fake.
This confirmation follows an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs, which established that the unique control number on the study visa is invalid and that no such visa records exist. Similarly, the tracking number on the general work visa is also invalid, with no corresponding application records available.
As a direct consequence of this confirmed illegal status, Ogbonna, who has been a regular fixture for Highlands Park, has inadvertently placed the club at severe risk of losing crucial points, threatening their hard-won league title and promotional aspirations.
In his ruling delivered on 27 May 2025, chairperson of the SAFA Appeal Board Advocate Zenzile Majenqe said: “In that match NB La Masia lodged a protest against Highlands Park for fielding a player, Chigamezu Ogbonna, jersey number 25, mysafa number OHAU6 whose ID registered without the necessary work or study permit. The player’s registration is therefore fraudulent and in violation of rules 12 and 14 of the SAFA Competition Uniform Rules,” read the ruling.
The 28-year-old player’s history in South African football includes two stints with Jomo Cosmos, starting in July 2016 and again in 2019, before he moved to Richards Bay in 2021. He also had a stint with Hungry Lion before joining Highlands.
WHAT IS THE NEW TWIST TO THE HIGHLANDS PARK SAGA
The ruling further said the player was ineligible to play for Highlands Park in terms of rule 11 of SAFA
Competition Uniform rules.
“The player’s original passport was not presented at the match in terms of rule 11 of the SAFA Competition Uniform Rules. The player fraudulently misrepresented that he has a study permit and that he is registered at Oakfields College.”
Adding an interesting dimension to the case, Oakfields College, the educational institution associated with the player’s study visa, has formally denied in writing that he is a registered student.
“A letter from Oakfields College confirming that the 1st Respondent’s player is not a registered student at that college, together with the statement from Campus Manager Shane Smith,” read the ruling.
Majenqe has called for SAFA Gauteng to launch investigations into all matches where the player in question was fielded, arguing this is necessary for further relief.
Meanwhile, Gomora United has laid a criminal complaint against Victor Raletjena, the administrator of the SAFA Gauteng ABC Motsepe League. The Alexandra-based club filed the case in Johannesburg South, alleging that Raletjena colluded with Highlands Park and the Nigerian footballer to register the player using fraudulent documents. Police have confirmed a charge was laid, but no arrests have been made.
The incident has ignited calls for Raletjena’s resignation or dismissal, with Jomo Cosmos owner Jomo Sono among those leading the charge. A petition demanding the administrator’s removal was signed on May 5th by several clubs, including Gomora, Tembisa Hollywood Thunder, Dube Continental, Soweto Super United, Oppo FC, and Mike 1 Stars.
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