Cape Times

Rape charge laid against Jordaan

- Sandiso Phaliso and Siyavuya Mzantsi

FORMER ANC MP Jennifer Ferguson says she decided to lay rape charges against South African Football Associatio­n (Safa) chief Danny Jordaan to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to speak out and act.

She has also asked for people to support not only her but other victims of sexual misconduct.

“I also am aware of the distress his (Jordaan’s) family must be experienci­ng and express my sadness that they are inevitably affected,” Ferguson wrote on her Facebook timeline.

She opened the case in Parkview in Johannesbu­rg. The case was transferre­d to Port Elizabeth as the alleged incident happened there.

Eastern Cape police spokespers­on Priscilla Naidu yesterday confirmed that a case of rape was under investigat­ion. She said the docket was still with the Joburg police and was yet to be transferre­d to the Eastern Cape.

Asked if any arrests were imminent, Naidu said the investigat­ion would determine that.

Ferguson arrived in the country last week for a series of four emotive concerts called JENNIFER #WeToo as a creative response to the recent disclosure of her rape.

She is scheduled to perform at the Baxter Concert Hall from April 4 to 7.

Ferguson broke her silence last year, claiming Jordaan raped her at the Holiday Inn in Port Elizabeth in 1994.

Attempts to reach Jordaan were unsuccessf­ul yesterday.

In a statement, Jordaan’s lawyer Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi said: “Doctor Jordaan reiterates that the allegation­s made by Ms Jennifer Ferguson are false and the event to which she refers never happened.

“Doctor Jordaan has further said that from the time that Ms Ferguson first made these allegation­s on social media, the legal system is the only forum in which Ms Ferguson’s version can be tested.

“The court proceeding­s will allow him and the South African public the opportunit­y to get to the truth.”

 ??  ?? JENNIFER FERGUSON
JENNIFER FERGUSON

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