The South African Football Association (SAFA) has terminated the membership of one of its affiliated members, Thulamela Local Football Association (Thulfa), with immediate effect.
According to the statement issued by the association's regional structure, SAFA Vhembe, the decision to terminate the LFA's membership temporarily was reached after the LFA had defied instructions from the mother body on several occasions.
The statement indicates that the LFA's entire executive committee was suspended as well. As a temporary measure, the association has appointed Mr James Maluleke and Mr Aubrey Ramukumba as administrators, with immediate effect.
The relationship between Thulfa and SAFA gradually turned sour after the LFA's elective congress, which was held middle of last year. The elections were followed by a dispute that was lodged by the losing group. The region ruled in favour of the losing group, prompting the other group to take the matter up to national level. The national dispute-resolution structure ruled in favour of the region. According to the statement, the LFA has continued to defy the instructions, despite the ruling by the national structure.
During an interview with the president of SAFA Vhembe's regional association, Mr Jabulani Ndove, he reiterated the fact that they were compelled to take such a decision to save football in Thulamela. He said that his executive committee had the power to suspend membership of their affiliate members temporarily and that the power to terminate the membership permanently rested with the congress. Mr Ndove added that they would soon hold an extraordinary regional congress.
The secretary of the suspended Thulfa executive committee, Mr Humbulani Makungo, said that they were not going to put the matter to rest and that his executive committee was still going to sit and explore other possible ways to pursue it further.