Suspended Safa President reinstated

JOHANNESBURG: Suspended South African Football Association (Safa) President Kirsten Nematandani has been reinstated with immediate effect.

The decision was announced on Friday, 4 January 2013, after a Safa NEC meeting was held, which Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was a part of.

Nematandani and four other officials were put on suspension following a match fixing inquiry into four warm-up games involving Bafana Bafana before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking to the media after his reinstatement, Nematandani assured South Africans that they will do everything in their power to ensure that 2013 AFCON is a success.

"I would like to thank all members of the NEC for having confidence in me and also reaching to the decision to reinstate me," he said.

Although Nematandani has been reinstated, investigations into allegations of match-fixing will continue after AFCON, which will start on 19 January and wrap on 10 February.

The NEC has decided that the match-fixing report will be referred to the appropriate committees for analysis and all decisions of the match-fixing matter referred to the appropriate bodies.

"The decisions will ensure that the processes moves forward properly and speedily and allow due processes in dealing with all the parties concerned," Nematandani said.

"We are determined to ensure that this report receives the critical attention that it deserves and anyone found to have transgressed be fully prosecuted."

The NEC decided to reinstate Nematandani after establishing that due processes were not followed when he was suspended.

Mbalula earlier called on all South Africans to rally and support the national soccer team during Afcon.

Mbalula expressed confidence that Safa will make the appropriate decision on the suspensions.

"As the accounting officer of the association, I will ensure that we provide all the operational support necessary to ensure that those who have committed any wrong are appropriately disciplined," said Acting SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble.

Nematandani was suspended along with the Safa COO and interim CEO Dennis Mumble, head of referees Adeel Carelse, head of national teams Lindile Kika, and former head of national teams Barney Kujane.