The coach who was suspended in November was also accused of disrespecting Safa president Danny Jordaan, having a verbal altercation with the association’s general secretary Dennis Mumble and also insulting the media.

“It is regrettable that we had to face the events of the past month at a time when the National Team is experiencing a resurgence in its quest to qualify for the ,” said Mumble.

“Due to the seriousness of the Coach’s actions, we had to release our Head Coach with immediate effect.

“We shall immediately institute a search for a new Head Coach familiar with African football competition who will be expected to continue the quest to qualify for the world’s apex football competition.”

Mashaba won 11 of the 26 matches as coach of the Bafana Bafana; he oversaw 12 draws and three losses.

This is the second time he has been fired as boss of the Bafana Bafana as he was sacked on the eve of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

Interestingly, he was also suspended before his 2004 sack.

His last game was South Africa's 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, November 12.

That result left Bafana Bafana second Group D on four points behind Burkina Faso on goal difference.

South Africa did not qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations holding next year in Gabon.