Safa Cape Town treasurer cleared after review

Mark Ward

Safa Cape Town treasurer, Wayne Weitz, has been cleared of all charges against him after an independent disciplinary panel found no wrongdoing, following his suspension earlier this year.

Weitz, 63, long recognised for his community activism during the country’s liberation struggle and for his playing days with the once-dominant Sea Point Swifts, is no stranger to hard battles. But in recent months, the veteran football administrator has found himself waging a different kind of fight — this time to reclaim his dignity within the sport he has served for decades.

Weitz was sidelined after allegations relating to his work as treasurer of the organisation. However, after a year-long break, an independent disciplinary panel delivered not-guilty findings that cleared his name completely.

“I’m not seeking revenge. I have not stolen money, nor have I done anything wrong. I’m ready to serve,” he says.

He pauses for a moment, then points to the charges listed in the ruling of the independent disciplinary committee — each one dismissed. “Not guilty on all of them,” he said.

“Yes, I can confirm I’m back. Not fully as treasurer yet, but I have attended a few meetings,” he said.

For a man who has spent more than four decades in football — as a player, coach, community organiser, and respected administrator since being handed the pen to write the minutes at age 13 — the ordeal has been deeply hurtful. The ruling brings major relief. Friends say the turmoil has weighed heavily on him, yet his composure remains unchanged.

“Despite the allegations, which were now declared unfounded, I’m prepared to put it all behind me and return to my duties of serving,” he says. “This is who I am. I’m a servant of sport and service.”

“I appreciate the independent panel’s careful consideration of the facts and its recognition that fair process is essential to good governance. I look forward to contributing constructively to the continued improvement of Safa Cape Town’s financial systems,” he adds.

The panel — chaired by Morgan Cupido, with Monray Polman and Sanele Nkompela — found the case against Weitz “fundamentally flawed.” It ruled that the charges relied on vague financial policies, inconsistent evidence, and unclear performance standards. The committee further held that both the suspension and the disciplinary process failed to meet basic principles of procedural fairness.

According to the ruling, Safa Cape Town’s finance policy, used as the basis for prosecution, did not define the treasurer’s responsibilities, while none of the allegations were backed by reliable or documented evidence. The panel also noted that Safa Cape Town had issued no warnings, guidance, or official communication that would have enabled Weitz to correct any perceived issues before punitive action was taken.

Bennett Bailey, president of Safa Cape Town, confirmed that Weitz has returned to his position, has met with the new auditors, and is being eased back into his role.

“One must understand, it would be wrong for us to hand over everything immediately to Mr Weitz. Life has gone on while he was away. It is, and was always, our intention to comply with the disciplinary committee’s findings and ruling,” Bailey said.

Beyond the personal victory for Weitz, the ruling has cast renewed light on persistent governance challenges in South African football, with the panel calling strongly for clear role definitions and documented procedures.

For now, Weitz says it is not about revenge — only about restoring his integrity so that he can continue contributing to the sport.