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The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed another legal challenge to the 2022 South African Football Association presidential election.
As of 24 February 2026, the court rejected an application by Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng seeking to overturn the election outcome. The ruling means the legal dispute over the leadership vote remains settled after several previous court decisions.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the outcome on 4 March 2026 and said the judgment reinforces the legitimacy of its election processes.
What happened?
The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed a special application for leave to appeal brought by Ria Ledwaba and Solly Mohlabeng.
They had asked the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal to reconsider an earlier decision refusing them permission to appeal. The application was made under section 17(2)(f) of the Superior Courts Act.
However, the court ruled that the applicants failed to show that refusing their appeal would cause “grave injustice” or damage the administration of justice.”
The dispute stems from the SAFA presidential election held in October 2022. After losing the vote, Ledwaba and Mohlabeng went to court seeking to invalidate the election result.
Their legal efforts have continued through several stages in the courts since then.
According to SAFA, this latest decision is another confirmation that the election process complied with the association’s statutes.
Why it matters to you
Although the case involves football governance, it affects the stability of South Africa’s football administration.
Court battles over leadership can delay organisational decisions, including football development programmes and national team planning.
The ruling also confirms that courts have repeatedly upheld SAFA’s election procedures.
As a result, the association says it can continue focusing on football development and administration without further legal disruption.
What you need to know
Below is a summary of the key legal events in the SAFA election dispute.
| Event | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| SAFA presidential election | October 2022 | Ledwaba loses election and disputes results |
| High Court challenge | February 2025 | Pretoria High Court dismisses application with costs |
| Leave to appeal request | December 2024 hearing | Court rules appeal has no reasonable prospects |
| Special application to SCA | 2026 | Supreme Court of Appeal dismisses with costs |
Key points from the ruling:
- The court said applicants failed to show that refusing the appeal would create serious injustice.
- The Pretoria High Court earlier ruled they no longer held positions within SAFA structures.
- Without membership or authority in SAFA, the court said they lacked standing to challenge the election under SAFA statutes.
- Courts have dismissed several related applications since the 2022 election dispute began.
SAFA stated the repeated rulings confirm the integrity of its electoral process.
What you should do next
For football stakeholders, supporters, and administrators, the ruling mainly signals that the dispute has reached another legal endpoint.
If you follow South African football governance:
- Monitor official SAFA announcements for future congress decisions.
- Follow updates on football administration and development programmes.
- Check court updates if new legal challenges emerge.
Where to get help or official information
For verified updates or official documents related to the case:
- South African Football Association official communications
- Supreme Court of Appeal rulings and public records
- SAFA National Executive Committee announcements
These sources provide confirmed information about governance decisions affecting South African football.
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