SAFA president Danny Jordaan will appear in court again on Tuesday December 10 over the fraud case facing him and his two co-accused.
Jordaan and his co-accused Gronie Hluyo, SAFA’s chief financial officer, as well as businessman Trevor Neethling, appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrate Court on Thursday December 5, but the case was postponed until next week to allow them an opportunity to make a formal application to have the matter struck off the role.
Jordaan was arrested in November over claims of using SAFA’s money, amounting to R1.3 million for his personal use.
Why is Danny Jordaan facing charges?
The Hawks claim Jordaan used SAFA cash to finance personal expenses, which included hiring a private security company for his protection and also got the services of a public relations firm Grit Communications to protect his public image during high-profile controversies and this was done without the SAFA board’s approval.
It is alleged that between 2014 and 2018, Jordaan faced serious allegations, including rape which affected his image and the Hawks claim he spent R1.3 million on a contract with Grit Communication to secure favourable coverage in the press without the approval of the SAFA board.
The Hawks raided SAFA’s headquarters on March 8 in search of evidence about the disputed contracts with Grit Communications and Badger Security. They would get hold of electronic equipment and documents to review the legitimacy of those deals after it emerged that ex-SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble had resisted signing the PR deal due to its high cost.
How has the SAFA boss responded?
It was alleged that the PR deal exceeded R250,000 as the SAFA rules stipulate and the CEO’s refusal to sign it was further evidence that it was not overboard, leading to misappropriation of funds.
The SAFA boss filed an affidavit to prevent his arrest, having insisted that Grit Communications was legitimately hired to uphold SAFA’s reputation. Jordaan stated that payments were reflected in SAFA’s financial statements and denies any wrongdoing by the SAFA bosses.
The three have been granted bail amounting to R200,000 although they have maintained their innocence with Jordaan saying the case is the work of disgruntled members who are trying to force him out of office.
