Pretoria - The South African Football Association (Safa) has refuted media reports claiming that its President Kirsten Nematandani has been toppled as the chairperson of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Local Organising Committee (LOC).
However, Safa acting President Mandla "Shoes" Mazibuko confirmed that Vice-President Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana has been tasked as the interim chairperson of the LOC until the next fully-fledged board is set-up.
"It is incorrect to create an impression that there has been a coup or that the President has been unseated," he said, adding that it was common practice when the President was out of the country, one of the vice-presidents acts on his behalf.
"The President is out of the country and we had to delegate responsibilities to various members and it is for that reason that I am the acting President of the association. This should in no way be construed as an overthrowing of the President. I am just holding the fort," said Mazibuko.
According to Mazibuko, government will also be represented on the next LOC Board similar to during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"It would be unfair to take any decisions without other key stakeholders, which include business and labour.
"To this end, the LOC Board meeting is scheduled to take place after government has pronounced on the way forward on Government Guarantees and other related matters. It is in this meeting where issues related to the chairperson, sub-committees and other outstanding matters will be confirmed and finalised," he said.
Nonkonyana, who was quoted as the main source in the alleged media reports, has also strongly denied making any statements to the media on the matter.
"These statements were manufactured and I strongly condemn such sensational journalism in the strongest terms," said Nonkonyana.
