The South African Football Players Union has alleged that the players of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana have not “been paid for several months”.
Bafana finished their recent international break by securing back-to-back qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Banyana are set to defend their WAFCON title next year.
However, despite the success on the pitch, there have been off-pitch issues behind the scenes at SAFA, with president Dr. Danny Jordaan recently appearing in court over fraud allegeations.
The financial crisis at SAFA seems to be deeper than many thought, with SAFPU alleging that players and technical team members from both senior national teams “not being paid in months”.
Read SAFPU’s full statement, which was shared with iDiski Times, below:
The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana for their remarkable achievement in qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This is a proud moment for our nation, and we commend the players, coaching staff, and technical teams for their dedication, skill, and patriotism. Their hard work has earned South Africa this prestigious accomplishment, and we celebrate their success.
However, while we acknowledge and celebrate this achievement, it is with great disappointment that we must address a critical issue that continues to affect our players. Despite their dedication to representing South Africa, both the Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana teams, as well as their technical staff, have not been paid for several months. These overdue payments, some dating back to multiple camps, are a violation of the rights of our players and staff. The failure to address this issue is not just a breach of contractual obligations, but a form of exploitation that undermines the players’ hard work and sacrifices.
It is unacceptable that our athletes, who give their all for the country, have been left without the financial compensation they are due. To date, no clear explanation has been provided to the players regarding these outstanding payments, nor any indication of when the issue will be resolved. The lack of transparency and accountability is deeply troubling.
The financial strain caused by non-payment is far-reaching. Some players have been phased out of the system, despite still being owed money. This exploitation also has long-term consequences, as many players face financial hardship after their careers. It is concerning that, in a country where athletes face a high tax burden, there has been no move to create a special tax dispensation or regulated pension scheme for sportspeople. Such measures would allow our players to not only succeed during their careers but also secure their financial futures after football.
The South African Football Players Union has already reached out to SAFA, seeking clarity on these issues. We have formally requested a meeting to discuss these matters and find a collective solution that ensures the well-being of our athletes and the long-term success of South African football. It is crucial that both the men‘s and women’s teams enter the upcoming AFCON and WAFCON tournaments in the best possible financial and mental condition, so they can perform at their highest level.
Additionally, we cannot ignore the ongoing court case involving SAFA’s leadership, particularly President Dr. Danny Jordaan and CFO Gronny Hluyo. While SAFPU respects the legal process, we hope these proceedings will not prevent SAFA from addressing urgent issues such as the non-payment of national team players and other employment-related matters.
In conclusion, while we celebrate the achievements of our national teams, we cannot overlook the financial challenges that continue to impact our players and the integrity of the game. It is time for these issues to be addressed with the urgency and seriousness they deserve. SAFPU looks forward to a productive meeting with SAFA and the resolution of these critical matters for the benefit of our players, teams, and the future of South African football.
