The South African Football Association (SAFA) was forced to heighten security around its elective congress after several delegates reportedly received death threats, while others were subjected to harassment and intimidation ahead of the leadership vote in Midrand.
The threats emerged as SAFA prepared for one of its most closely watched presidential elections, with incumbent Danny Jordaan facing businessman and AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu for the presidency.
SAFA said the threats would be reported to the police and insisted that the congress would proceed despite the security concerns.
Death threats reported
In a statement issued ahead of the congress, SAFA confirmed that several delegates had received death threats.
“Several delegates have received death threats while others have been harassed and intimidated ahead of the SAFA Elective Congress,” the association said.
SAFA added: “SAFA takes these threats very seriously and the police will be notified accordingly.”
The association said security around the venue had been tightened following the threats sent to delegates.
The revelations added another layer of tension to an already heated election campaign, with competing factions publicly challenging aspects of the association’s governance and electoral processes.
SAFA says congress will continue
Despite the threats, SAFA maintained that the elective congress would go ahead as planned.
The association described the latest incidents as an escalation following what it called attempts to derail the congress and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process.
“These threats and intimidation are an escalation after the calculated attempts to derail the Elective Congress and cast aspersions about the processes failed to achieve the desired objective,” SAFA said.
“The Elective Congress will go ahead as planned after weeks of planning and preparation, and SAFA will protect the right of its members to freely exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice.”
The association held an Extraordinary National Executive Committee meeting in Midrand on Friday, shortly before the congress.
A closely watched presidential race
The security concerns came as Jordaan and Zungu faced off in a contest that had generated significant attention within South African football.
Jordaan, who has led SAFA since 2013, was seeking another term, while Zungu entered the race promising major changes to the organisation’s governance and administration.
Zungu had raised several concerns during his campaign, including allegations relating to the electoral process, the banning of certain regions, outstanding Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses and the implementation of video assistant referee technology.
The campaign had consequently become increasingly combative, with the competing camps offering sharply different visions for the future of South African football.
Who could vote
The congress brought together SAFA’s voting members, including its regions, the Premier Soccer League as a special member and associate members.
SAFA had also invited a number of football and government stakeholders, including representatives from FIFA, CAF, COSAFA and SASCOC, as well as Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and football legends.
The election was also expected to determine members of SAFA’s national executive committee and provincial structures.
Jordaan ultimately retained the presidency
The threats overshadowed the build-up to the congress, which took place at Vodaworld in Midrand on Saturday, 12 September.
Jordaan ultimately secured a fourth term as SAFA president, defeating Zungu by 157 votes to 82.
The result means Jordaan will remain at the helm of South African football for another four-year term, while pressure is likely to continue around questions of governance, accountability and the future direction of the association.
The reported threats, meanwhile, have placed an additional spotlight on the increasingly bitter contest and raised concerns about the safety of officials and delegates involved in SAFA’s internal political processes.
