Bafana Bafana official asked to explain R700,000 World Cup spending

Retiring Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka has been given until the end of August to submit receipts accounting for R700,000 allocated to him for daily sundries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The South African Football Association (Safa) agreed to allow Tseka to continue working for several weeks after his contract ended on 31 July so he could locate and provide the outstanding documentation.

Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo disclosed the arrangement during a meeting with Parliament’s portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture on Tuesday night.

Hluyo was responding to questions from portfolio committee member Matsholo Liesbet Mmolotsane, who asked about the unaccounted funds. She said Tseka had been responsible for money issued to cover Bafana Bafana’s day-to-day incidental expenses while the team was in camp during the tournament.

According to Safa’s records, receipts covering part of the R700,000 had not been submitted or reconciled.

“Mr Tseka has been disputing the amounts that have not been reconciled. As a team manager we give them money to use when they are with the team, and according to our records, some of those funds have not been reconciled,” Hluyo said.

“He has been disputing that, but he is working even though his contract terminated on July 31. He asked to be allowed a few weeks to look at his records and try to locate whatever invoices he might have misplaced. The reconciliation is being finalised between Safa and Tseka.”

Tseka has reached retirement age, but Safa has agreed to keep the matter open until the end of August to allow him to complete the reconciliation process.

Mmolotsane questioned why the issue had not been resolved sooner, pointing out that the World Cup ended on 19 July.

Hluyo said Safa would seek to recover any money that remained unaccounted for once the additional period granted to Tseka had expired.

“As I indicated, Mr Tseka asked for a few weeks, so what I can tell the members is that once that period is completed, which is the end of August, we will pursue whatever means available to us to recoup that money.”

Mmolotsane was not satisfied with the explanation and accused Safa officials of “protecting one another”. She also called for a forensic investigation into the association.

The matter comes as Safa prepares for a change in the team manager’s position. Safa chief executive Lydia Monyepao has already confirmed that Tseka’s role has been advertised.

Tseka’s contract ended on 31 July, although he remains involved temporarily while the outstanding receipts are sought and the financial reconciliation is completed between him and Safa.

The issue was reported by Sowetan, which also invited readers to join its WhatsApp channel for news updates.