The South African Football Association (SAFA) technical director, Walter Steenbok, has left the association, bringing significant relief to those who worked with him.

Steenbok, who was allegedly problematic, faced prior allegations of misconduct last year, reportedly including swearing at SAFA NEC member and Bafana Bafana head of delegation, David Molantwa.

According to Sportswire sources in June, Steenbok was scheduled to face SAFA’s internal disciplinary committee in Sandton, with indications that he would be relieved of his duties. A source added that Steenbok made rash decisions, disrespected the technical committee, acted independently, and insulted members. Consequently, a substantial number of SAFA NEC members sought his removal.

A copy of the charges obtained by Sportswire included allegations of gross misconduct, gross mismanagement, gross negligence, gross dereliction of duties, gross insubordination, and gross insolence. Steenbok had a heated exchange of emails with Molantwa in February, during which he allegedly swore at him. The exchange, which was copied to SAFA president Danny Jordaan and CEO Lydia Monyepao, is in Sportswire’s possession.

The heated email exchange occurred after Steenbok called an urgent meeting in February. Molantwa objected, citing the short notice, which required some SAFA members, who are fully employed elsewhere, to apply for urgent leave. The meeting, scheduled at SAFA House, also meant that members residing outside Gauteng would incur personal travel expenses, leading to the dispute between the two.

City Press reported in June that SAFA held an impromptu national executive committee meeting in Bloemfontein before Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe, where Steenbok was reprimanded. Steenbok was also widely accused of interfering in the work of others at SAFA House, including SA Women’s junior team coach Simphiwe Dludlu and former head of women’s football, Romaney Pinnock.

Sportswire was informed that Pinnock was embarrassed when she was asked to leave a presentation she was scheduled to deliver to Super League main sponsor, Hollywoodbets. This allegedly occurred in front of all the club representatives present. Steenbok intended to deliver the presentation himself. When Pinnock resisted, Steenbok reportedly instructed security to remove her.

He was also allegedly accused of opposing Sinesipho Mali’s inclusion as a Bafana Bafana team analyst during their Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal campaign. However, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and Mkhalele advocated for Mali’s inclusion, which proved successful, much to Steenbok’s chagrin.

Steenbok’s final misstep at SAFA was allegedly his dissatisfaction with the association’s decision to appoint Molefi Ntseki to lead the Bafana makeshift squad for the CHAN qualifiers against Egypt. This decision was made after assistant Helman Mkhalele was excused to focus on the main team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin this month. While Steenbok reportedly opposed this, he was generally unpopular within SAFA, with sources telling Sportswire that his rash decision-making was untenable.

Although Steenbok has been credited with reviving CAF coaching courses, such as the A and B licenses, numerous coaches in the Motsepe Foundation Championship have alleged to Sportswire that he received kickbacks for their admission to these courses.