Ramatsiyi Moholo

Ramatsiyi Moholo

Safa's elections in September can only be postponed if there was a motion put forward at a special general meeting by a two-thirds majority.

However, Safa president Molefi Oliphant pointed out that there had been no request for the postponement of their elections.

Sowetan has learnt that certain individuals are lobbying for the elections to be postponed until after 2010 - so that the current leadership can "deliver a smooth World Cup".

"If a two-thirds majority want the elections to be postponed, then let's do it, as they are empowered by the constitution of Safa," Oliphant said.

"My observation is that time is running out, we will need 10 to 11 regions of Safa to make a such request . in addition, they will have to make it clear on the agenda what they want.

"If the elections go ahead, there will naturally be a new executive committee in charge. If the elections are postponed, the current executive remain until 2011."

But Mazwi Mkhize , Safa's eThekwini deputy president, has called for Safa's elections to go ahead as scheduled.

He said it made no sense for people to use the World Cup to call for postponement, because the Local Organising Committee board was the body responsible for the Fifa event.

Oliphant has made it clear that he will not seek re-election as he is convinced South Africa has capable administrators to take charge of the federation.

The Safa leader also argues that when Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, they had elections in the same year - when Theo Zwanziger was elected president.

"He replaced Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, there were no problems."

Also, intense lobbying is under way in various Safa regions with the focus being on Safa's presidential position - where Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan will square up.