The president of Shaka Sports NPC, Mr Tshepo Letjane, spoke on Ga-Rankuwa FM on the 23rd of January 2026 during Rorisang Matea’s show. Shaka Sports NPC is TRFA’s main sponsor.
Among the things he highlighted on the show are his ambitions to become the state president, for which he is moving towards establishing his own political party as a vehicle to deliver on them. More interestingly, he is also eyeing the SAFA presidency, although not with the same enthusiasm as the state presidency.
He states his reasons, and his primary one is clear: a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
Prior to 1994, all the oppressed people of the country were united behind the fight against racism. The more the years went by, the more the unity, the more the strength to fight apartheid, and the more the regime crumbled. It was a good fight, a success story that will forever be part of the history books of this country.
But years after 1994, a new enemy reared its ugly head and continues to shatter hopes of ordinary South Africans daily. This enemy is known to all people, and the damage it causes is also known to all, yet the very same people allow it not only to exist but also to grow. The people are not united behind the fight against this enemy as they were prior to 1994 when they united behind the fight against apartheid. This enemy is very effective in dividing and ruling our people. It exists everywhere, in politics, in the economic front, in the societal pillars, including government service delivery, in the technical spheres, and in the legal fraternity. This enemy is humongous and yet fits in every size of host, simple yet sophisticated, at times takes a humble posture and yet is very boastful of the gains it makes, and at times is friendly in its approach and yet severely destructive where it has access. This enemy has the ability to get the to-be victims to happily participate in what will ultimately destroy them. This enemy is corruption. The destruction that corruption brings to our society cannot be overemphasised.
It therefore does not come as a surprise that Mr Letjane picks up the Zero Corruption Tolerance theme to highlight his plan of action for his future endeavours. For that, we wish him well and pledge our support in any way possible for such a noble course.
This is what we said after Mr Letjane’s interview:
Indeed a case was opened about the theft, and as reported before, the investigation is going slower than expected. We believe that the case is cut and dry as the President of Shaka Easter Soccer Tournament also sees it. Which is why we don’t understand the delay. By now we should be talking court dates.
TRFA did have a meeting with the transacting signatory this week, with no positive outcome for both parties. So the little hope that money could be recouped from him directly fell by the wayside.
The only way forward is for the law to take its course, fully. Anyone and everyone who was involved in the embezzlement must face the full might of the law. All who benefited, directly and indirectly.
What people don’t realise is that this matter has impacted football negatively and significantly. Small things that could be done quickly are now a mountain to climb. Operations are affected. Staff is impacted. Reputation is damaged. And yet, in the midst of all of that, the very people who participated in the embezzlement present themselves as victims, heroes, fixers, etc.
The leadership accepts, though, that the money was embezzled by the officials of #TRFA, regardless, the stigma remains with #TRFA, and it is #TRFA that must ultimately resolve this problem.
The leadership will push and even seek the audience of the station commander if need be. If all fails, will escalate by other means.
But Mr Letjane does not mince his words when he reflects on his and Shaka Sports’ sponsorship of TRFA. In short, he is saying do not tell him, or anyone else, that TRFA is addressing the issue of the great heist (approximately R800K, of which R200K is from Shaka Sports), but rather, show it with some tangible outcomes. No person who illegally takes money from the association (politely put) must be allowed to get away with it. Simply put, no corruption must be allowed to prevail. In other words, no amount of good English or the wrong application of UBUNTU principles must allow corruption to prevail.
But Mr Letjane is clear when he says the sponsorship is intact, not lost. In fact, he confirms that he is increasing the sponsorship to almost a million a year. However, in line with the Zero Corruption Tolerance principle, not a cent of this money will be released until the people responsible for this great heist are arrested. This is the KPI he is willing to be persuaded with.
Of course, TRFA has and continues to work to address this issue. We have lodged a police case; investigations are underway; we have suspended the bank signatories (one of whom has resigned); we are also driving internal investigations; and we are tightening internal controls in accordance with the adopted policies. We are regulating how the REC conducts its meetings, including how each REC member must work and submit monthly reports to avoid being blindsided, etc. A lot has already been done to strengthen leadership, governance, administration, and operations within the region. REC members have now signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to prevent the unauthorised dissemination of information and are preparing to sign Declaration of Conflict of Interest Forms to avoid personal gain. We are implementing a financial accounting system to improve financial control and transparency, and our procurement processes are now more corporate-style and transparent. The REC is now working towards eradicating the underground regional football economy caused by poor office administration, which leads to football transactions being conducted outside the association, under the table, and in dark corners, and thus creating space for corruption and external controls.
So, indeed, there is a lot happening, with purpose and with a clearer vision. However, we accept that, until tangible outcomes are put on the table, it will be acceptable for our stakeholders, including our sponsors, not to believe a word we say. Our English may be good, but without something to show, it means nothing.
We appeal for patience to Mr Letjane, Shaka Sports NPC, the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR), the City of Tshwane, all our 16 LFA affiliates, as well as the 2 associate member affiliates, all our Men’s Regional League clubs, Women’s Regional League clubs, Regional Development League clubs, Women’s Promotional League clubs, critical stakeholders such as the University of Pretoria, Advocate Tlhatlha, our mother bodies, SAFA and TSC, and the community at large. Our turnaround is certain, and our brand’s association with creating value, excellence, and zero tolerance for corruption is imminent. Walk the journey with us.
Listen to the interview on the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HNue7NeWo
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