By Razeen Gutta
- SAFA cites a delayed payment from one of its partners.
- Not enough financial reserves to process payroll on time.
Just a day before pay day, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has informed employees that they will not be receiving their March salaries on time, citing a delayed payment from one of its partners as the reason.
The news comes as Bafana Bafana are preparing to take on Benin at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday, 25 March.
In a letter to employees, signed off by CEO Lydia Monyepao, SAFA explained that the delayed payment has left the federation without adequate financial reserves to meet salary obligations.
“Normally your salaries are paid on the 25th of each month. However, due to a delayed payment from one of our partners, inevitably we will also delay your salary payments,” the letter read.
SAFA has assured employees that the outstanding salaries will be paid by 31 March, following a commitment from the partner to settle the payment.
As recently as December 2024, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie gave SAFA a funding advance of 70% because it was at risk of not being able to run payroll.
That advance amounted to R5 million.
Three months down the line, SAFA is in financial trouble again.
This developing story is the latest controversy to hit SAFA under the presidency of Danny Jordaan.
Jordaan was recently in court charged with fraud and theft of some R1.3 million. The NPA later withdrew the charges.
In recent months, SAFA has been involved in several high-profile controversies.
According to a CityPress report in December, under-20 national team technical director Walter Steenbok, expressed frustration over the federation’s financial struggles, which led to the cancellation of a training camp.
The delay in salary payments has raised questions about SAFA’s financial stability and its ability to manage affairs effectively.
The latest development is likely to add to the growing pressure on SAFA’s leadership to address the ongoing financial and administrative challenges facing the federation.
SAFA is responsible for paying players and staff of South Africa’s national football teams as well as tier three and below of the South African football league system.
Pictured above: SAFA House in Johannesburg
Source: SAFA.net
