THE FUSE

By Dylan Bettencourt

Law firm Menzi Vilakazi Attorneys applied on 28 February to have Safa declared insolvent over an unpaid R1.6-million in legal fees.

Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao told the firm in January that the organisation could not pay the debt, court papers show.

South Africa’s football governing body could be shut down after a law firm took it to court over an unpaid bill.

Menzi Vilakazi Attorneys lodged a liquidation application against the South African Football Association (Safa) on 28 February. The firm says Safa is commercially insolvent and has admitted it is struggling to pay its bills.

Safa received invoices totalling R1,600,105 in July. The Johannesburg High Court granted an order against Safa in August 2025 after Safa did not pay.

When the firm pushed for payment, Safa made a promise.

“Safa assured the firm that its CEO and finance department were working on a payment plan and would engage the firm once arrangements were in place,” the court papers said.

But no payment came. The firm then contacted Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao directly in January.

“Safa is not in a financial position to settle the debt,” Monyepao said, according to the application.

The firm is now asking the court to grant a provisional liquidation order if Safa does not pay.

“If Safa is insolvent, the liquidator will be able to immediately prohibit further prejudice, including any possible alienation, disposal, or dissipation of assets and revenue,” the application reads.

Safa is already under pressure on another front. The Hawks raided its Nasrec offices in March 2024 over corruption and misconduct allegations against its top officials.

Safa president Danny Jordaan is accused of personally benefiting from a public relations contract awarded ahead of the 2018 Safa elective congress. Jordaan has denied wrongdoing and is reportedly looking at a fourth term as Safa president.

Pictured above: Safa offices.

Image source: File