C’mon, Mr. Bailey – do the right thing and let soccer-loving individuals take over the Beautiful Game in Cape Town

Safa Cape Town issued a press release on Friday (5 December) which confirmed its president, Bennett Bailey’s (pictured) reappointment to the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Legal Commission – which raises serious ethical and moral questions.

Here’s why! The very same leader that has now been tasked to oversee SASCOC’s legal affairs, is also the same individual that is undermining his own constitution – the ‘holy’ book of Safa CT that he, as the ‘Numero Uno’ needs to enforce and uphold.

Bear in mind, it’s been five months since his comrade during the apartheid struggle and colleague at the region, Wayne Weitz, was found not guilty of any wrongdoing or mismanagement of funds by a Disciplinary Committee (DC).

This was put together by Bailey’s own administration after Weitz was accused of mismanagement of funds and not adhering to protocol – and subsequently suspended.
And for the football public who are not aware of what the final outcome was, here are the DC’s findings:

• The charges were inadequately supported by a clear standard or consistent evidence;
• The respondent successfully highlighted material inconsistencies in the employer’s case;
• No formal warnings, guidance, or training were provided, undermining the procedural legitimacy of the allegations;
• The suspension and subsequent disciplinary process fell short of fairness.
• Accordingly, the allegations of misconduct have not been proven on a balance of probabilities.

The remedy/award of DC also states the following:

• The respondent is reinstated to his duties as Treasurer with immediate effect.
• SAFA is liable for the respondent’s costs on a party-party scale.
• The suspension imposed on the respondent is lifted, and the record must reflect that the respondent has been acquitted of all charges.
• SAFA must provide a clear public apology to the respondent.
• The panel recommends that SAFA urgently review its Finance Policy to ensure that the responsibilities of office bearers are clearly defined, and that future suspensions are affected only after a fair procedure.

Mind you, the man once seen as a comrade by his peers has been so discredited and humiliated that he even lost his livelihood – it’s clear his employer took him to the cleaners and left him out to dry.

So, as Safa Cape Town’s hierarchy and its affiliates gear up for the elections set to take place in February 2026, it is important for the various LFA’s, member clubs, as well as the more than 130 000 registered members, male and female, to take heed of the above – and those who are going to cast their vote, make an informed decision on the type of character and leader they are voting for?

No Bones with Jones has gathered that Weitz is unofficially back and has attended a couple of meetings, but the fact remains that he was not publicly reinstated and exonerated as per the DC’s award. 

This is the blatant disregard that the region’s football leader is showing and it is appalling to say the least. What is more worrisome is that the region consists of 35 LFA’s and not even 18 of these have the balls to challenge their leader on this.

Safa CT is so fragmented and has such a controversial and pathetic image – why? It’s because the ‘divide and rule’ policy is applied. Why has it become so difficult to do what is right and to challenge those who rule with an iron fist? Why?

Many of these members are adults and should be guiding the next generation – but how can they if they lack the balls to do the right thing? Are they so obsessed with position and power at their LFA’s that they blatantly ignore and refuse to stand up for what is just and fair? Don’t they want to bring about change to improve football in Cape Town?

The irony is that many of these leaders at the various LFA, good ones excluded because there really are honest and righteous ones, proclaimed they are in the position for the kids and to help change and better their lives – yet they do the exact opposite with their cover-up and look the other way to ensure the perks keep coming.

Unfortunately, there is a likelihood that this dictatorial leadership is probably set to continue for the next four years – Alas! But not if the region’s constituents do the right thing and what is in the best interest of football in the Cape Metropole.

It is time to look past the freebies and gravy train, and to grow some balls and put an end to the injustices that have toxified the beautiful game.
It is time to call out football leaders and administrators who use the football space to serve their own interests. 

Make an informed decision and one that is going to be beneficial for players, coaches, clubs and the broader football family, as change is needed now more than ever.

On another note, SASCOC too could be in for a bumpy ride, but perhaps they know something that the football fraternity doesn’t, perhaps an alter ego – but the side depicted and character displayed by the Mother City’s football boss is definitely one that does not stand for justice!

On a final note, one can only hope that Bailey will apply the very same principles and ethics of which an esteemed and credible committee such as SASCOC has re-elected him, and to apply this to the case of his comrade Weitz.