Local football referee Mr Percy Murei is both ecstatic and relieved after being exonerated of corruption charges by the Appeals Board of the South African Football Association (Safa).
The case stemmed from an incident in May this year when Murei and two assistant referees, Vhuhwavho Mathuli and Rivhathihi Malima, were appointed to officiate a match between Vuwani United Sports Academy and Masakona Real Citizens. Allegations of match-fixing arose, accusing the trio of soliciting a R1,800 bribe from the chairman of one of the teams in exchange for a favourable outcome. Following these claims, the referees were suspended immediately, pending a hearing before the league's disciplinary committee.
The Safa Vhembe Disciplinary Committee found the trio guilty. Murei was handed a lifetime ban from officiating, while his assistants were suspended for two seasons each. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Murei appealed the verdict and sanction to the Safa Appeals Board.
At the appeal hearing, Safa Vhembe was represented by Adv George Mphanama, while Murei represented himself. The Appeals Board concluded that the testimony of the two witnesses against Murei was inconsistent and lacked evidence proving that any money had exchanged hands. Furthermore, the board ruled that it was improper for the Safa Vhembe Disciplinary Committee to amend Murei's sanction after it was initially imposed.
Reacting to the outcome, Murei expressed his joy, saying justice had finally prevailed. He reiterated his consistent stance on his innocence. Murei, a prison warder at the Thohoyandou Management Area (Matatshe Prison), revealed that the allegations had tarnished his reputation, with some labelling him a corrupt official.
Now cleared of wrongdoing, Murei looks forward to resuming his duties as a match official. At 35 years old, he believes he still has much to contribute to football.
The general secretary of the Safa Vhembe Regional League, Mr Samuel Matodzi, stated that they were awaiting formal communication from the national office regarding the matter. Only then, he said, would the league be able to comment further.