SAFPU wants SAFA to pay Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana players owed match bonuses amounting to R6 million. Image: SAFPU shared via Facebook.
(The Post News)- In order to break the deadlock around unpaid bonuses, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) has stated that it will do everything in its power to draw the attention of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) leadership. While Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana players have not received their match bonuses since September, SAFA allegedly owes R6 million to players.
The South African Football Players Union is outraged by the non-payment of national players. Tebogo Monyai, SAFPU Acting President, said players are unable to talk to SAFA directly, but SAFPU serves as their voice. He went on to say that players are afraid of being victimized; thus, the SAFPU stands up for them. According to him, SAFPU aims to address issues that need to be addressed so that players may clear their minds and fulfill their tasks stress-free.
Moreover, SAFPU expressed concern over its unsuccessful efforts to address the issue of unpaid bonuses. Monyai explained that they requested a meeting with SAFA through its CEO, COO, and president. According to Monyai, in the agenda of the meeting request, SAFPU listed all the factors that needed to be addressed; however, they are still waiting for SAFA officials to avail themselves.
After the stalemate over bonuses for Banyana Banyana ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July 2023, Monyai acknowledges that their relationship with SAFA soured. Monyai explained the relationship between SAFA and SAFPU, stating that they had an excellent relationship until the “Banyana Banyana World Cup” incident, in which they had to defend the players against SAFA. He went on to say that SAFA viewed the interaction negatively, which affected their relationship.
SAFA acknowledges that it owes players match money owing to cash flow concerns, but it expects to rectify the situation by the end of December. SAFA said they intend to address the players’ issues as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Danny Jordaan, president of the financially strapped Football Association, appeared in Palm Ridge Specialized Commercial Crimes Court for the second time this morning on fraud and theft charges. Jordaan, who is accused of embezzling R1.3 million in SAFA funds for personal gain, reportedly stole, committed fraud, and unlawfully utilized a communications firm to manage his reputation with SAFA funding.
This followed the revelation of rape claims made by Jennifer Ferguson, a former MP for the African National Congress. On the 17th and 18th of this month, SAFA will have a two-day meeting to address a number of concerns arising from Jordaan’s and SAFA Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo’s arrest three weeks ago. Jordaan’s immediate future, including whether or not he should step down, is expected to be a major topic at this conference. On the other hand, SAFA seems to be putting out fires on more than one front.
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