Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

The issue of the xenophobic attacks bedeviling Mzansi will be thoroughly addressed at the third congress of the South African Football Players Union from today until Sunday.

The congress will be held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, and will culminate in the election of a new executive committee.

Cappy Matutoane, Safpu's national organiser, confirmed that the issue of the xenophobic attacks will top the agenda.

"This matter is part of the secretariat report and we will give our members an opportunity to deliberate on this issue," Matutoane said.

"Our members include foreign players and we will hear from them on how to deal with the issue. We are totally against violence on foreign nationals and will continue to fight it."

The gathering will also look at the progress clubs have made with players' salaries.

"We were given a mandate in our previous gathering to enforce a minimum monthly wage of R10 000 for players and will report to congress developments to this regard.

"There are clubs that still pay players as little as R3 000 a month in the Premiership," Matutoane said.

"Some players in the National First Division are still being paid as little as R1000 a month and this is shocking. We will continue to fight for better wages for players."

Safpu's members will also vote for a new executive committee for the next three years.

It is led by Brian Baloyi with Peter Ndlovu and Hareaipha Marumo deputy presidents.