Ria Ledwaba shibobos Danny Jordaan and his cronies
Hawks raid SAFA offices
Ria Ledwaba demands SAFA’s apology
Former SAFA deputy subjected to character assassination tendencies
Jordaan eats a humble pie with his allies
SAFA lift Ria Ledwaba’s ban
The South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan and his allies who were gunning for former SAFA deputy president Ria Ledwaba ate a humble pie after rescinding their decision to ban her from all domestic football activities.
Earlier, SAFA wrote a letter to Ledwaba informing her about their decision declaring her a persona non grata effectively banning her from all SAFA programmes. SAFA’s announcement on Ledwaba was met with rejection and contempt it deserves from various stakeholders, football fans, the public at large, civil right groups, political leaders and activists who expressed their disgust.
Instead of responding to Ledwaba's lawyers, SAFA played mind games by lifting Ledwaba’s ban.
Her attorney and former SAFA CEO Leslie Sedibe confirmed that indeed SAFA has retracted its decision to ban Ledwaba from participating in all local football activities in the country.
Sedibe said Ledwaba received a letter on March 19, 2024 from SAFA about their decision to withdraw from prohibiting Ledwaba. He said this clearly shows that there is a leadership crisis in SAFA. Sedibe added that SAFA is in total chaos and the centre is not holding.
“After thorough consultation with our legal team and studying the judgment further, we noted that the judge held that... you are no longer a member of SAFA, nor do you hold a position within a position of SAFA and as such have no 'loco standing' to invoke the SAFA statute. By virtue that you are nowhere within the structures of SAFA and as such, we have no jurisdiction over you, we regret having sent you a letter dated 6 March 2024, which is hereby withdrawn,” Sedibe quoted from the letter.
Ledwaba’s attorney said: “This is a demonstration of an organisation that has collapsed completely. They don't know what they are doing. I don't even believe that this decision, for persona non grata was taken by the NEC (National Executive Committee). Mr Jordaan, I am not going to call him doctor. Danny boy, we demand an apology. You must unreservedly apologise to Ms Ria Ledwaba, and you must explain to the people of South Africa why you took such an irresponsible decision together with the members of the NEC.”
Former Ria Stars club owner Ledwaba who has been entrenched in local football for over three decades has called on FIFA to disband SAFA under the leadership of its controversial leader Jordaan who has been accused of micromanaging and destroying South African football.
Ledwaba has been marginalised and subjected to intimidation since her decision to legally challenge SAFA over the presidential elections of June 2022, which saw the re-election of her rival Jordaan.
The militant and intellectual Sesi Ria as affectionately known from her adoring fans has embarked on taking SAFA on. She also demanded an apology from the association led by the controversial Jordaan which subjected her to character assassination tendencies.
"I want my lawyers to write to SAFA and ask for a public apology.They have to apologise to me, South Africans, Africans and to the world – to say that they made a mistake. They must go out there and apologise. I want that apology. They have defamed me. I am being portrayed as someone who is hungry for power and angry because I have lost the elections. That's what they put in the letter (on 6 March). Nowhere in my dispute have I spoken about the elections, whether someone won or not. It's all about corporate governance,” Ledwaba said.
Meanwhile, the Hawks through their statement confirmed that they had conducted a raid of Safa House, the home of the South African Football Association.
Reportedly, the allegations are that, between 2014 and 2018, the president of Safa used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the Safa board.
“The president is also reported to have violated Safa statutes thus prejudicing Safa an actual loss of R1.3 million. During the search, a laptop, external hard drives, a USB and documents were seized.”
The Azanian can confirm that it was also reported that the laptop seized was that of Safa Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo, while the HAWKS could not get into Jordaan’s office, because it was locked.
A source who opted to be anonymous said what they got should be enough (evidence) to nail Jordaan because the CFO (Hluyo) was working under his instructions. Reportedly the key issues are related to a communication company (he hired) to defend him during the rape allegations. Jordaan was also accused of hiring personal security for his own safety at Safa’s costs. He was also fingered of signing some of these deals, which made him conflicted.
In 2017 by former ANC MP Jennifer Ferguson accused Jordaan of rape but he refused to step down as SAFA president.
Dark clouds are also hanging over Jordaan over an alleged R70 million paid for the Fun Valley Resort and Entertainment centre and regarding the handling of the 2010 Fifa World Cup legacy trust.
The source alleged that the fact that a judge could sign the search warrant means he/she believes there’s a prima facie case for him (Jordaan) to answer.
It is believed that Jordaan must be on his way out if he is officially charged to face the music.
Earlier, Activist and Citizens (ACF) Dennis Bloem condemned SAFA’s decision on Ledwaba. “This is totally unacceptable and disgusting that SAFA has banned Ms Ledwaba from all football activities. SAFA and Danny Jordaan are acting worse than dictators. This is nothing else but to silence the critical voice of Ms Ria Ledwaba. She is one brave woman who challenges wrongdoing, maladministration, and corruption in SAFA. This kind of dictatorship tendencies must not be allowed to continue in this country. If we ignore this nonsense to continue, we can kiss our football goodbye. Danny Jordaan must be fired immediately from SAFA. He is a liability to the development of football in the country,” Bloem lambasted Jordaan.
Not In My Name President Siyabulela Jentile also added his voice to the chorus that Jordaan must be evicted from SAFA because he is not a consummate leader.
“Not In My Name calls on SAFA to reconsider its declaration, withdraw it and apologize to Ria Ledwaba, and to South Africans. The association needs to critically reflect on its public image and make the necessary changes needed to redeem itself. The first step is to take a bold decision to facilitate the resignation of rape accused Danny Jordaan," said Not In My Name leader.
Jentile said the latest kick of a dying SAFA comes just days after an embarrassing raid at the SAFA offices by the Hawks, on the backdrop of allegations of corruption against the dictator and SAFA President for life, Danny Jordaan.
He said however that this is not the first time and most likely not the last time the Football Association is marred by controversy and allegations of dishonest administration.
“Important to note, there are no provisions in the SAFA statutes that empowers the declaration of anyone a Persona Non Grata. The Conflicted SAFA National Executive Committee continues to prove that they are compromised and make new rules as they go, to further humiliate and abuse Ria Ledwaba. The NEC should be focusing its energies on accountability and transparency, by advocating for ethical standards of leadership within the SAFA,” said Not In My Name President Jentile.
“We make a clarion call to South Africans to stand up and take back their football association from questionable characters who use it to advance personal interests. SAFA needs to be saved from being operated like a personal Spaza shop of one individual and the politically connected few. It belongs to South Africans.”
Militant and intellectual former SAFA deputy president Ria Ledwaba ready to rumble SAFA president Danny Jordaan and his cronies over character assassination tendencies levelled against her.
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