By Akani Nkuna
SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan has appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg, following his arrest along with two others on allegations of R1.3 million fraud and theft.
The Hawks said on Wednesday the Jordaan was accused of using the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection, and a PR company without authorisation form the SAFA board.
This was allegedly between 2014 and 2018.
In March, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit executed search and seizure warrants at Safa’s office, confiscating various electronic devices and documents for further analysis, resulting in the subsequent arrests.
Jordaan was arrested alongside Safa CFO Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling.
They were granted bail of R20,000 each by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, under strict conditions which saw Jordaan’s co-accused surrender their passports.
Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said that it was not surprised by the arrest, since the “mischievous and corrupt” tendencies of Jordaan were in the public domain for the longest of time.
“The EFF has long identified Danny Jordaan as a corrupt ANC-deployee in SAFA, who has no sophisticated knowledge of football or sports in general, and exists in the association as a proxy for corrupt ANC interests,” said Mathys said in a statement.
Mathys further said Jordaan’s tenure was one characterised with stagnant growth in talent development, and an unwillingness to promote women’s football in the country.
Jordaan and his co-accused will appear in court again on 5 December.
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