/ 3 May 2018

Irvin Khoza blasts Jordaan’s ‘bizarre, absurd conspiracy theories’

“I know Jordaan has a wild imagination in relation to me
“I know Jordaan has a wild imagination in relation to me

Premier Soccer League chairperson Irvin Khoza has fired back at Danny Jordaan for alleging he was behind rape allegations against the SA Football Association president.

The Sunday Times reported this weekend that Jordaan has opened a case of defamation, criminal collusion and conspiracy against the Iron Duke, alleging that he was the catalyst in Jennifer Ferguson’s decision to lay charges against him. Last month, the former ANC MP and singer laid a complaint of rape at the Parkview Police Station in Johannesburg, accusing Jordaan of raping her 25 years ago at a hotel in Port Elizabeth.

“Let me unequivocally say from the onset,” Khoza said at the PSL headquarters in Parktown on Thursday. “I do not know Miss Jennifer Ferguson. I have never met her, spoken to her, or had any form of contact with her.

“I know nothing of what is alleged by Danny Jordaan at the police or in the media about me.

“Through my discussions [with Jordaan at an event] on April 27, it did not once cross my mind that come Sunday April 29, I was going to wake up to the most bizarre and absurd conspiracy theories involving my name.”

Former PSL general manager Ace Ncobo was reportedly also named as a co-conspirator in Jordaan’s defamation case. The former referee has had his own bitter public dispute with the Safa president in recent months, repeatedly calling on him to resign.

On Thursday morning, News24 published emails purportedly between Khoza and travel agency Fli-Afrika. The documents allegedly prove that he paid for Ferguson’s travel arrangements – the singer lives in Sweden.

Khoza rubbished suggestions he paid for any flights or accommodation, insisting he has made extensive calls to Fli-Afrika, his credit card company and other relevant parties to ensure nothing was paid for on his behalf without his knowledge.

Ferguson has said her flights were paid for by an anonymous donor.

Conflict between the two is nothing new and the Iron Duke painted a picture of man who has sought to use him as a scapegoat for almost two decades.

“It is important to point out a tactic that Danny Jordaan uses quite effectively against his perceived enemies: he attacks people in public and apologises privately.

“I know Jordaan has a wild imagination in relation to me, he sees my ghost wherever he faces difficulty, but even for him, this is a bridge too far.

“I refuse to once again be Jordaan’s scapegoat as he uses me to create a diversion.”

Jordaan has maintained his innocence of rape throughout.