By Obakeng Maje

The SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) has called up a meeting on Saturday, 23 February 2013 to discuss and confirm recommendations of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs and Security Committees with regards to the FIFA Match Fixing report and the way forward.

The NEC meeting of 4 January 2013 resolved to rescind decisions of the Emergency Committee (EmCo) of 17 December and the matter was referred to the two SAFA Committees, (Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee and Security Committee) for further consideration.

The scheduled next meeting on 23 February will take place at SAFA House.

Among others, the decisions relate to the 17 December 2012 EmCo report relating to the suspension of the President of the Association, Mr Kirsten Nematandani as stated in the letters written to FIFA, CAF, SASCO, Minister of Sport and COSAFA which were reviewed and set aside and corrected.

The matter also relate to the suspension of the SAFA staff members which was reviewed and set aside and corrected by referring it to the Acting CEO of SAFA for his consideration and further action.

“We have therefore, called an NEC meeting on 23 February 2013 to discuss and confirm the recommendations of the two Committees whose recommendations remain confidential.

“The NEC will take the decision, and no other body has the authority to make any determination on the matter and any presupposition on the issue is premature. We should always keep in mind the rules of natural justice,” said chair of the Legal and Constitutional Committee, Pooby Govindasamy. “It must be emphasised that to speculate on the outcome of any hearing is dangerous as any person is presumed innocent and must be given an opportunity to explain any allegations against him or her in order to ensure fairness in the process.”