Ria Ledwaba a no show at her SAFA Presidential launch | African News

SAFA vice president Ria Ledwaba could not attend her presidential manifesto launch at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Johannesburg on Tuesday morning.

Ledwaba was set to announce her nomination for the presidency to contest incumbent Dr Danny Jordaan.

But the long-serving football administrator had to pull out from attending or addressing the launch, with the advice of her legal team.

The decision was allegedly due to a warning from SAFA that nominated candidates should not start campaigning before their names are approved by a governance committee.

Four candidates have been nominated for the SAFA Presidential race set for June 2022. They are Ledwaba, former vice president Nomsa Mahlangu, SAFA Tshwane president Solly Mohlabeng and Dr Danny Jordaan.

Ledwaba’s attorney Lerumo Thobejane broke the news to the members of the media as well as football stakeholders who graced the launch in support of her candidacy.

“It is true that since Friday afternoon, she received a circular (from SAFA), the effect of which was to prohibit her from holding any press conference,” said Thobejane.

“I sat in consultation with Mama Ria almost the whole night, she was still insisting on addressing you members of the media and as an attorney, I had to take a decision that would not prejudice her candidacy.

“I did not want her to risk expulsion or suspension, I did not want her to do that knowing that this was a pre-arranged event, there were guests invited, and members of the media were already invited. I had to man up and come and address you to say, rather than risk her candidacy for the Presidency, let me come and disappoint you with this bad news,” said Thobejane much to the surprise of those in attendance.

Some of the people who had attended the launch include ex-Banyana Banyana star Portia Modise, former SA coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane, former SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble and former Bafana Bafana player Doctor Khumalo.

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