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DA asks; “Is Safa neutral in matters of politics and religion”

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The Democratic Alliance is claiming that SA Football Association’s constitution precludes Danny Jordaan from staying on as its president if he takes up the job of Nelson Mandela Bay mayor.

SAFA
South African Football Association

According to article 3.1 of the constitution: “Safa is neutral in matters of politics and religion”.

The opposition party was concerned that because Jordaan was deployed by the African National Congress it would compromise the principle of independence required for the role of officebearer of Safa, DA MP Solly Malatsi said in a statement.

“The reality is that by occupying both roles in the lead up to the 2016 local government elections, Dr Jordaan will become the most politically partisan sport administrator in the country.

“This will, no doubt, be to the detriment of fair and dedicated football administration and should have been considered before Dr Jordaan accepted the mayoralty,” Malatsi said.

The DA wants Jordaan to step down as Safa president if he takes the job of mayor.

‘Out of context’

Safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi disputed this saying the DA was taking the association’s constitution out of context.

“They are quoting the institution to suit their own needs,” he told News24.

“Safa is an organisation, we as Safa cannot say we are supporting the ANC, we cannot say we are supporting DA. Safa is an organisation, Safa is not Danny Jordaan.”

He said other Safa national executive committee members belonged to other political parties.

The Economic Freedom Fighters and United Democratic Movement also want Jordaan to resign with the UDM saying that it will save sports from political games.

“As much as we don’t have anything against him, since this is a political appointment – The UDM hopes that he would do the right thing by resigning in his position as president of Safa,” UDM secretary general Bongani Msomi said in a statement.

“The independence and neutrality of Safa must be protected and not be blemished by politics.”

Mayoral replacement

The African National Congress announced on Monday that it was replacing Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Benson Fihla, 83, who is yet to resign, with Jordaan.

Jordaan was one of three changes to top municipal leadership. Deputy Mayor Chippa Ngcolomba makes way for former deputy mayor Bicks Ndoni, while chief whip, Joy Searle, makes way for Litha Suka. Current Speaker Maria Hermans, keeps her position.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe on Monday said the appointments still needed to follow due diligence, as the outgoing councillors would have to vacate their positions and the new councillors would need to be sworn in. Thereafter, they would have to be put forward to the council by the ANC as their candidates for the various vacant positions.

There is a slight chance that the appointments might not go through, should the ANC not secure enough votes in council on the day to vote in their new candidates.

Safa has said that Jordaan will not have to resign from his position at the football association because it is a non-executive position which is taken on voluntarily.

News24

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.