SAFA election: Zungu camp alleges regions are being suspended over Jordaan opposition

A camp backing AmaZulu FC president Sandile Zungu has accused the leadership at SAFA House of attempting to undermine its campaign by suspending regions that do not support incumbent South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan.

The allegations come ahead of SAFA’s elective congress on 12 September, when members will vote for the federation’s next president and national executive committee.

The presidential contest is between Jordaan, who currently leads SAFA, and Zungu, who is also president of AmaZulu FC.

Joe Seanego, a prominent figure in Zungu’s camp and chairman of Gomora United, said he remained confident that his side would win, although he acknowledged concerns about the process.

“It’s tough, but we are getting there. We are going to win this. We’ve done all the necessary work; now it’s up to the regions to vote,” Seanego told KickOff.

He urged regional delegates not to be intimidated by the prospect of reprisals and called on them to vote according to their convictions.

“The regions must not fear being victimized; they should just do the right thing during voting. Mr. Zungu will change the face of South African football, which is something we all want. The current regime has had their time, as shown when they struggled to appoint a Bafana Bafana coach.”

Seanego added that Zungu’s team was prepared to take responsibility immediately if it won the election.

“We will be ready for office as soon as we take over.”

He then repeated the allegation that regions opposed to the current SAFA leadership were being targeted through suspensions.

“We know very well that the current SAFA leadership is busy suspending regions that won’t be voting for them, and those are the regions that are going to vote for us. Everyone has to comply.”

The claims have not been independently substantiated in the source material, but they form part of the concerns raised by Zungu’s supporters before the vote.

Seanego also questioned Jordaan’s eligibility to stand for another term, referring to corruption cases he said were still hanging over the SAFA president.

“Why is Danny Jordaan allowed to contest when he has corruption cases hanging over him? Why isn’t he starting by clearing his name first?”

He outlined the numbers that Zungu’s camp believes will be needed to secure victory. South Africa has 52 regions, meaning a candidate would require about 27 votes to win, according to Seanego.

“In South Africa, we have 52 regions. To win the elections, you need about 27 votes, and we are targeting 33 regions. Your vote is secret, so we expect people to vote without fear of victimisation,” noted Seanego.

The election will determine both SAFA’s next president and the members of its national executive committee, with the dispute between the Jordaan and Zungu camps intensifying as the 12 September congress approaches.