The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has urged its members to boycott a call by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to work with South African Football Association (SAFA) coordinators to “ensure a seamless school football programme“.

The union said on Wednesday that football in schools had‚ for years‚ been run by the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) in whose formation and operation SADTU members had played a critical role.

“The call by the DBE comes at a time when SASFA is engaged in a dispute with the SAFA and the matter is at the High Court for adjudication‚ therefore this instruction amounts to contempt of court as it undermines the processes that are underway to resolve the dispute‚” SADTU said.

“SASFA officials feel undermined by DBE’s decision because there has been no consultation and the matter was deferred at the recent sports conference convened by the DBE respecting the court processes.

 “SADTU views DBE’s conduct as an attempt to crush everyone and everything associated with the union. This is totally unnecessary when the country is faced with dismal performance because the teachers are so demoralised and dehumanised by the unbearable conditions and the treatment by the DBE‚” the union asserted.