Abel Rakoma reinstated as SAFA Capricorn President
Rakoma was removed from office on 20 November 2019, following a decision by the association to disband the Regional Executive Committee (REC) and temporarily replace it with a task team
POLOKWANE – Abel Rakoma has been reinstated as the South African Football Association (Safa) Capricorn Region President. The judgement was made by Judge George Phathudi in the Polokwane High Court on 26 March with immediate effect.
Rakoma was removed from office on 20 November 2019, following a decision by the association to disband the Regional Executive Committee (REC) and temporarily replace it with a task team which was to be overseen by Limpopo Chairperson, Jack Maluleke. At the time, a Safa delegation, led by membership affairs committee chairperson, Paseka Nkone informed the Limpopo Football Association (LFA) of the decision to disband the REC structure in a meeting held in Polokwane, citing the dysfunctionality under Rakoma.
The LFA then wrote to the national office earlier this year asking for intervention and complaining that it was becoming arduous to be led by Rakoma, who also failed to be re-elected into the Safa NEC at the national elections in June last year. Among the complaints was that the region is run by more co-opted members than elected and that Rakoma defied Safa’s national directives by suspending other REC members without protecting their positions.
The region has 90 days to convene the elections and elect new leadership.There has been a huge fallout between Rakoma and LFA members since their election to office in 2015. Rakoma has been accused of suspending and firing his deputy president, Thomas Mulaudzi, Philemon Mahapa (treasurer), Arnold Mabotja (LFA chairperson) and replacing them with his close allies Oscar Mathekga, and Sana Mamabolo. He said he was granted the right to be a president of Safa Capricorn Region.
“We will apologise to those who were inconvenienced and I believe and hope in the power that Safa fixes what was created by what we believe is abuse of power and authority,” said Rakoma.
SAFA Limpopo Chairperson, and NEC member, Jack Maluleke said he has not received the judgement to study. “We have to study the judgement first. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Our lawyers were not present and there was only one party in court. We have an executive committee that is led by Jacky Mogashoa and we are not happy about the judgement. We are entitled to appeal the matter,” said Maluleke.
