Safa National launches probe of their own into ‘missing’ funds of Football for Humanity initiative… Safa CT denies any wrongdoing

The legal battle between the Sport Stepping Stones Foundation and Safa Cape Town is in motion to uncover what happened to the proceeds of the Sports for Humanity initiative held in support and solidarity of the people of Palestine. No Bones with Jones has received correspondence from ‘The Mole and this is what it revealed….

Question raised by Safa National into a ‘probe’ of their own to uncover what happened

Q1. How much money was provided by SAFA National to SAFA Cape Town for the relevant Freedom Cup?

SAFA CT: SAFA National did not make any financial contributions to SAFA Cape Town for the event. However, the event was formally endorsed by SAFA National. SAFA National delegated the event responsibilities to SAFA CT with conditions.

SSS: We do not dispute this. We are fully aware of the protocols. The reason Mr. Bailey was invited to the meeting on 23 November 2023 for this purpose.

Q2. The stakeholders in this event were Sports Stepping Stones, SAFA and a NPC created in January 2024 to which SAFA vice Mr. Bennet Bailey is a signatory names Sports for Humanity (one of the aspects of this NPC is Football for humanity)

SAFA CT: The Non-Profit Company named Sports for Humanity was independently registered in January 2024 by three individuals — Mr. Bennett Bailey, Mr. Noore Naceroedien, and Mr. Abubakar Cassiem — in their personal capacities. 

This entity was not created, endorsed, or operated by SAFA National or SAFA Cape Town. The existence of the NPC does not imply that SAFA or SAFA Cape Town were stakeholders or had any involvement in its formation, management, or financial activities related to the Freedom Cup.

SSS: This is untrue. The creation of the NPC was never in any personal capacity but as representatives of the various entities; SAFA CT and SSS. Otherwise, why would this be necessary?

Q3. A widely broadcasted undertaking detailed that of these funds was aid to Palestine.

SAFA CT: No such official statement was made by SAFA CT. Any claim that funds were supposed to be directed to Palestine remains unsubstantiated. We request to be provided with documented evidence supporting this assertion so that we can respond to it.

SSS: Boebie Solomons and Noore Nacerodien appeared on various media outlets clearly stating that the main beneficiary is the Palestinian cause. We have the media clips to prove this. SSS has been sending funds to Palestine for many years.

Q4. It is alleged that stakeholders agreed all Charity Cup funds would be deposited into the Sports for Humanity account, with expenses paid first and remaining funds allocated to grassroots football in South Africa and to Palestine.

SAFA CT: There is no record or agreement—verbal or written—to this effect. If any evidence exists to support this claim, we ask that it be provided to SAFA CT for review and response.

SSS: This has always been the agreement. As of today, nobody objected to the interviews on Cape Talk and Hilal TV.

Q5. It is alleged that not a cent of funds was paid into account by SAFA and to date no financial breakdown and or audit despite request has been forthcoming from SAFA.

SAFA CT: All funds collected by SAFA were deposited into the SAFA CT account. Monies collected by Sports Stepping Stones (SSS), for example: Sports Stepping Stones (SSS) raised approximately R500 000 via a fundraising dinner at which Minister Naledi Pandor was the guest speaker, and approximately R200,000 raised through suite ticket, and vendor sales. All these funds were directly deposited into the SSS bank account — not SAFA Cape Town’s.  

SAFA Cape Town’s audited financial statements were presented at the SAFA CT Congress held in February 2025 in accordance with standard procedure and have been accepted by our members. We now direct Parliament to request an audited financial statement from Sports Stepping Stones (SSS) for all monies collected during this event.

SSS: The deposit of funds into the SAFA CT account was never agreed. Why would a new account be opened at FNB, of which Mr. Bailey is a signatory. It is sad that SAFA CT is now going tit-for-tat. For record purposes SSS only received a donation of R5k for the dinner. The dinner was a welcome dinner, not a fundraising dinner. 

The full dinner and the control thereof were by the sponsor, Mr. Solly Noor. The suite sales is another imaginary matter raised by SAFA CT. We only assisted Ms. Patricia De Lille, then Minister of Tourism and leader of the Good party with a suite and catering. This is also reflected in the financials of SSS

Q6. Supporters of this event want answers. What happened to money in this event evidence further requested on all monies received by SAFA and all invoices and receipts?

SAFA CT: SAFA CT confirms that it received no funds from SAFA for this event. Our Financials are audited by an external auditor and were made available at the SAFA CT Congress in February 2025, which has been accepted by our members.

SSS: It is sad that the major partner was never involved or advised. The members of congress were never at the coalface of the operations and will naturally just accept.

Q7. It is further reported on that day that tickets were sold at Rygate and a receipt book was used; not all receipts were documented. Request for evidence to be provided in the receipt book?

SAFA CT: All ticket sales were fully recorded and reviewed by an external auditor. There were no gaps in accountability of ticket transactions. Until the Honourable member has a different version, then we can respond to that as well.

SSS: We cannot comment on this but were alerted to this *Q8. There were further sponsored tickets by organisations according to information A8. SAFA CT acknowledges that complimentary tickets were issued to multiple organisations upon formal request, following standard practice for community and stakeholder engagement. 

Q8. There were further many sponsored tickets by organisations according to information
SAFA CT: SAFA CT acknowledges that complimentary tickets were issued to multiple organisations upon
formal request, following standard practice for community and stakeholder engagement.

SSS: Many “complimentary” tickets were actually paid for by corporates and good Samaritans. It was then distributed. Request further is investigation into alleged agreements made by Mr Bennet Bailey and his being a signatory and stakeholder to the Sports for Humanity NPC

Q9. Request further is investigation into alleged agreements made by Mr Bennet Bailey and his being a signatory and stakeholder to the Sports for Humanity NPC

SAFA CT: Mr Bailey welcomes any formal investigation into these allegations. As Mr Bailey has acknowledged in question 2. However, this investigation if parliament thinks it so necessary that we also investigate SSS as it all relates to the same things.

SSS: We welcome an investigation

Q10. See certificate attached it is duly noted that there was denial from Mr Bailey in parliament.

SAFA CT: SAFA CT clarifies that Mr. Bailey did not make any denials on the floor of Parliament. He noted that he was not informed in advance of specific parliamentary questions and has requested notification prior to such engagements to ensure accurate and complete responses. We further request that this statement be withdrawn. 

And that Hansard be consulted. It is unfortunate that this matter has come before Parliament framed as a controversy, when the original intent was rooted in compassion and solidarity. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalated in October 2023, prompting an urgent response from SAFA. 

By November 2023, SAFA Cape Town had taken the initiative to host the Freedom Cup as a solidarity event — not for recognition or gain, but to stand with the people of Palestine during a time of immense suffering. 

This event was not part of SAFA Cape Town budget. SAFA and SAFA Cape Town assumed both financial and reputational risk. The focus was humanitarian — not commercial.

SSS: Let’s be clear that the initiative to bring the Palestine National team to Cape Town is purely that of Boebie Cassiem, who travelled to Palestine to meet with the President of the PFA, Mr. Jibril. 

This was never a SAFA CT initiative. As SAFA CT states above, it is unfortunate that the matter has come before Parliament. Many phone calls to Mr. Bailey by Boebie went unanswered, correspondence from SSS in June 2024 went unanswered let alone acknowledged, correspondence from Bawa Abrahams and Associates in February 2025 went unanswered let alone acknowledged.