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Mpho Dube

SAFA President told to relinquish power and refrain from abusing former SAFA deputy president Ria Ledwaba

Updated: Mar 21

-Jordaan labelled autocratic leader

-SAFA president accused of killing SA football

-Jordaan labelled liability

-SAFA called rape accused

-Jordaan under the microscope

-Hawks raid SAFA office

Gloves are off-the South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has been urged to tender his resignation and refrain from abusing former SAFA deputy president Ria Ledwaba.

Jordaan was labelled an autocratic leader, abuser, liability, factionalist, nonsensical, football destroyer, controversial, corrupt, demagogue, rape accused and dishonest. 

This follows after SAFA President Jordan and his administration took a decision to declare Ledwaba 'persona non grata' within the organization. A letter addressed to Ledwaba by SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao stated that Ledwaba has been disqualified from all and every football and football related activity under the jurisdiction of SAFA.

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.”

The letter addressed to former Ria Stars owner on March 6, 2024, mentioned Ledwaba’s decision to take SAFA to court and seek arbitration challenging the outcome of the presidential elections which were held in June 2022 as grounds for this action.  “In dismissing the case, the court ordered punitive costs against you on an attorney and client scale including the costs of two counsel, the one being senior counsel. It is worthy to note that Judge Holland-Muter was scathing of your conduct when he found that you will not stop in your attempts to derail the business of SAFA,” said SAFA CEO.

Ledwaba had raised indiscretions in the amendment of the constitution leading to the SAFA Elective Congress, where she was challenging SAFA President Jordaan.  The Azanian can confirm that Ledwaba and SAFA are headed for another legal showdown following her ban from football. Ledwaba’s lawyers have indicated that she is challenging SAFA’s decision to ban her from all footballing activities. She vowed to take SAFA back to court if the NEC’s decision to ban her is not reversed.

The Azanian can confirm that through her attorney and former SAFA NEC member Vernon Seymour engaged and wrote to SAFA on 12 March, challenging the decision to ban her by the NEC.

“You are no doubt aware that our client has filed an application for leave to appeal and you have already given notice to oppose our client’s (Ledwaba) application. We, therefore, submit that your client’s NEC decision was premature along with the issue of your aforesaid letter,” Lionel Cay Attorneys responding to SAFA.

“There is nothing in your statutes which empowers your NEC to declare someone ‘a persona non-grata’, it appears that this decision was taken with malicious intent and a clear objective to defame our client. Our client is offended by your NEC decision and will consider her options."

These developments come just a few days before SAFA NEC meeting this coming weekend, with another presidential candidate and SAFA Tshwane President Solly Mohlabeng receiving a similar letter and awaiting a disciplinary committee hearing.

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.


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