A Local Football Association [LFA] under SAFA has had its membership terminated and its executive suspended after defying instructions.
The SAFA Vhembe region confirmed on Thursday that they have temporarily terminated the membership of the Thulamela Local Football Association and its entire Regional Executive Committee.
They have, in the meantime, appointed James Maluleke, the Treasurer of the Association and Aubrey Ramukumba as administrators with immediate effect.
The region currently has three teams participating at the PSL level in Black Leopards, VFA and TTM.
WHY SAFA SUSPENDED MEMBERSHIP OF ITS LFA
The fallout began when Thulamela, one of the biggest SAFA LFAs in the country, elected new leadership. The elections were followed by disputes from the losing group, who lodged a complaint.
The region ruled in favour of the losing faction, but the matter was taken to the national level with the ruling in favour of the region. Despite the ruling, the LFA is believed to have continued to defy the region, which subsequently led to their suspension.
This could mean all teams under the Thulamela FA could be barred from participating in all SAFA leagues until their reinstatement.
WHAT THE REGIONAL LEADERSHIP SAY
“Our most important objectives was to save football in Thulamela,” SAFA Vhembe president Jabulani Ndove told FARPost.
“We decided to suspend the executive committee because we have realised they do not want football to take place according to the constitution. So we have decided to suspend the whole membership, and the final decision will be decided by the Congress.”
The Region is expected to host an extraordinary congress soon.
“The executive has the power to suspend members with immediate effect. But the congress is the one that will have the final say.”
Ndove and his executive committee came into power after winning elections last year in May. They backed current SAFA President Danny Jordaan despite their predecessors announcing Ria Ledwaba as their preferred candidate.
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