SAFA presidential candidate Sandile Zungu fired off shots at a media briefing in Sandton on Monday, alleging attempts at vote-buying, regional destabilisation, and electoral fraud, just days before the elective congress on Saturday, September 12.
The AmaZulu FC president and business tycoon is taking a direct swipe at incumbent Danny Jordaan’s administration. He claimed that “monkey tricks” and underhand tactics are being used to derail regions and disqualify key figures pushing for change in South African football.
Addressing journalists at The Maslow Hotel Sandton, Zungu insisted his camp still holds the upper hand despite widespread financial promises and administrative manoeuvres aimed at turning the tide in favour of the current leadership under Jordaan.
‘MONEY IS BEING DISHED OUT’ – ZUNGU CLAIMS
Zungu did not hold back when asked about the environment within the 52 SAFA regions leading up to the secret ballot.
“We are seething with anger in terms of what is being done to regions,” Zungu stated. “You know our legends have been disqualified from participating in the forthcoming elections, and we believe unjustly so. Some regions that are clearly and forcefully pushing for change: there was an attempt to change leadership, which did not succeed, and then, as punishment, they are being disqualified from participating.
“As I am talking, there are consultations with legal people to see how to take that matter forward, and trust me, we take it very, very seriously.”
Zungu doubled down on allegations of financial inducement, claiming money was actively changing hands over the weekend to secure votes.
“The monkey tricks will not take anybody anywhere. The era for monkey tricks is over. Yes, there is an attempt at destabilising regions, but it will not succeed. There is an attempt at committing electoral fraud, and it will not succeed.
“We are aware that promises of money are happening thick and fast. It happened over the weekend; money is being dished out. But we have an upper hand, and we will win these elections. We’ve got a lot of work above ground, and we’ve got a lot of work underground as well.”
SAFA LEADERSHIP UNDER THE LEGAL MICROSCOPE
The explosive briefing comes amid escalating administrative battles within SAFA. Allegations have already reached political and legal avenues, including cases opened in the Northern Cape involving senior executive personnel, Zungu said.
Zungu referenced ongoing legal challenges and criminal charges surrounding top leadership, emphasising that delegates are growing weary of systemic misgovernance.
“You may be aware that a charge was laid somewhere in the Northern Cape against the SAFA president and the CEO of SAFA for what is alleged to be defrauding SAFA constitutionally,” he added. “It is a very serious charge in addition to the many other charges that are facing the incumbent president, and those are challenged, and they will be challenged vigorously. We are not taking any chances.”
With SAFA vice-president Bennett Bailey having already stepped aside to back Zungu alongside the ‘Save Our SAFA’ lobby group, the race between Zungu and Jordaan has reached boiling point.
Despite allegations of administrative victimisation and vote-buying, Zungu remains adamant that Saturday’s delegate count will usher in a new era for South African football.
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