SAFA Suspends 4 NEC Members Following Disruptive Meeting At SAFA House

The South African Football Association has moved swiftly to suspend four members of its National Executive Committee (NEC) with immediate effect, Sportswire has learned.

The suspended members are Gladwin White, Emma Hendricks, Monde Montshiwa and Orapalang Setlahare.

The four were part of a group that disrupted an NEC meeting last weekend at SAFA House. Security guards initially prevented them from entering the boardroom where the meeting was being held.

Although they were later allowed inside, tensions escalated during the meeting. At one point, one of the members allegedly pointed a finger at SAFA president Danny Jordaan, who was seated alongside NEC members Nastasia Chiklas and Bennett Bailey.

Hendricks’ suspension has been welcomed by her region, the Dawid Kruiper Local Football Association.

“For nearly 12 years, the region has experienced deep divisions under her leadership, where a close inner circle was protected while those with opposing views were often treated as enemies and pushed aside,” the region said in a statement.

“It has also been widely reported that individuals who were already suspended were still used to carry out tasks and instructions in order to advance a particular agenda.

“Such practices created a culture of fear, division and mistrust within the football structures of the region.

“The newly elected leadership of the Dawid Kruiper LFA therefore wishes to express its appreciation to the South African Football Association for finally hearing the concerns and pleas that have been raised over the past months — and indeed years — by clubs and members within the region.”

Meanwhile, Bhudda Mathathe and Lebogang Riet have apologised to SAFA and have been spared suspension.

Mathathe, who has previously been critical of Jordaan, recently met with the SAFA president in his capacity as head of South African Legends of Masters Association in an effort to restore unity for the good of football in the country.

In a statement, SAFA confirmed the suspensions following an emergency meeting.

“The South African Football Association Emergency Committee has moved to suspend four members of the National Executive Committee with immediate effect following a late-night meeting held in Johannesburg on Friday, 13 March 2026,” the association said.

“This decision will be submitted to the NEC for ratification. Once ratified, the affected members will be issued with formal letters detailing the charges against them.”

Meanwhile, White is reportedly facing serious legal trouble related to alleged gender-based violence. He is accused of assaulting his wife for a second time, with the matter now reportedly before the courts after a case was opened. Reports indicate he appeared in court on Friday in connection with the alleged incident.

This gives Jordaan another free pass ahead of the presidential elections later this year.