The Latest On Ria Ledwaba’s Complaint And SAFA Presidential Elections

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has directed a letter to SAFA vice-president Ria Ledwaba after she lodged a complaint to both CAF and the world football governing body, FIFA on 9 May 2022.

Ledwaba alleged that during the Ordinary Congress held on 26 March 2022, SAFA amended Its Constitution in contravention of the rules and procedures laid down by the said Constitution.

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Response from CAF:

“We refer to the above matter and acknowledge receipt of your complaint dated May 9 2022 addressed to the general secretary of Fifa [Fatma Samoura].

“The complaint alleges that during the [Safa] ordinary congress on March 26, Safa amended its constitution in contravention of the rules and procedures laid down by the said constitution … [That it did so] by among others: irregularly convening the congress on March 26, [and] failing to debate any of the proposed amendments that had earlier been circulated by the Safa secretariat to the members on December 7, 2021.

“[In addition] passing a constitution that: contains a number of provisions that were never approved by the congress; removes certain powers from the congress by allowing the NEC to vote in elections and removing oversight of the Safa’s finances from the congress; fails the test of participation, rights of members and separation of powers; fails the test of guaranteeing fundamental rights of members; fails the test of accountability, and fails the test of separation of powers.

“We note that you [Ledwaba] attended the above-mentioned congress that passed the amended constitution … and refer to Article 7.1 (g) of the Caf Statutes pursuant to which members of Caf have the obligation ‘To manage their affairs independently and free of intrusions and interference of any kind by any person or body’.”

“In view of this, it is Caf’s policy to protect the right of its members to freely exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice without any third party interference. Having said that, Caf will send a delegation to observe the Safa elections on June 25 to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with the principles of transparency and good governance.”

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The continental body will send a delegation to observe the SAFA elections set to be held on 25 June 2022 to ensure that they are conducted in accordance with the principles of transparency and good governance.

In their statement SAFA said they will not hesitate to report any violation of the provisions by anyone to CAF and Fifa.

“SAFA also welcomes the decision by CAF and Fifa to monitor the election on 25 June 2022,” SAFA added.

“We are happy with the communication from CAF which confirms that the election will go ahead as planned on 25 June 2022,” said SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe.