By Monwabisi Jimlongo

High-level talks are being held over the future of the South African Football Association’s (Safa) headquarters after a demand for R1 million a month in rent.

The demand comes from the Department of Public Works, which is the custodian of the State land on which the premises were built.

Safa House cost R86 million to build and the 5000²m structure, next door to the impressive calabash-style Soccer City stadium, was officially opened in February 2007.

But Public Works are now demanding compensation, saying the building was erected on land owned by them.

A highly-placed source at Safa has revealed that a letter which the department sent to the soccer organisation purportedly demanded a R1 million monthly rental – or Safa faces having the structure demolished.

The contents of the letter were read to our reporter by a Safa insider.

The Dispatch then approached Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, who confirmed the department had sent them a letter, but declined to elaborate on its contents.

“I know about the communication between us and the Department of Public Works.

“This issue is receiving our attention and we are talking at the highest level,” Nematandani said.

Although the department confirmed that the land on which Safa House was built belonged to the government, the deputy director- general of corporate services, Lucky Mochalibane, denied they had written a letter asking Safa to pay a R1 million monthly rental.

Mochalibane, however, revealed that his department would evaluate Safa House’s market value.

“The Department of Public Works wishes to confirm that the land on which Safa offices are built belongs to the State, of which the Department of Public Works is a custodian,” Mochalibane said.

“The department notes with dismay persistent media allegations that the department has issued a letter to Safa demanding R1 million in rent.

“This is simply incorrect.

“On the contrary, the department will be evaluating the property and only after that will we then determine fair market value of the property.

“Subsequently, the department will then enter into an agreement with Safa to consider two options: long-term lease or outright purchase of the property by Safa.”

Even Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has entered the fray.

“I cannot comment on the R1million rent issue, but I can confirm to you that we, as Safa executive, met with the Deputy President of the country, Kgalema Motlanthe, last week,” said Safa deputy president Mwelo Nonkonyana.

“We made it clear to him that we want to own the property as well as the land where it’s built.

“He has promised to speak to the relevant departments, that is the Department of Public Works and that of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.”

Built in January 2006 and funded by Fifa, Safa House was the headquarters of the World Cup local organising committee and also the temporary home of Fifa during the soccer showpiece.

Source: The Herald