The South African Football Association (SAFA) has welcomed a ruling by the Johannesburg High Court dismissing former vice-president Ria Ledwaba’s latest legal attempt to nullify the 2022 SAFA Elective Congress results. This marks the third unsuccessful court challenge brought by Ledwaba against the football governing body.
In a statement released on Saturday, SAFA commended the court’s decision, emphasizing its confidence in the legitimacy and fairness of its electoral processes. “We are pleased that the court continues to see through these baseless attempts to discredit our democratic structures,” said SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao.
Ledwaba had alleged that the elective congress held in June 2022 was irregular and unlawful. However, the court dismissed her claims with costs, reinforcing earlier rulings that had already upheld the validity of the congress proceedings.
The football body stated that this judgment brings much-needed closure to a prolonged period of internal dispute and shifts focus back to the development of the sport in South Africa.
“Let us now redirect our energy towards building a stronger football nation, united in purpose and focused on the future,” added Monyepao.
While Ria Ledwaba has yet to comment on the ruling, the association urged all stakeholders to respect the decisions of the judiciary and prioritize the growth of South African football.
